The Independent Monitor Report on McArthur River Mine (MRM) for the period 1 April 2018 to 30 April 2020 confirms continued improvement in environmental management and performance at the mine.

MRM achieved full compliance with the recommendations for active mine conditions made by the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority (NT EPA) to improve environmental performance.

The assessment by the Independent Monitor also found the mine had demonstrated a high level of environmental performance with no significant environmental issues requiring urgent investigation during the audit period.

Importantly for the community, the report also found that the McArthur River and its tributaries were considered to be in good health and that it is safe for people to eat fish from the McArthur River including barramundi, sooty grunter, archer fish and freshwater prawns.

Steven Rooney, General Manager of MRM, said: “We take the findings of the Independent Monitor very seriously and will keep on working to protect the health of the McArthur River and surrounding environment.”

“The entire workforce at MRM is committed to operating responsibly and I’m very proud of their achievements. The Independent Monitor’s findings are a testament to the considerable and sustained progress we’ve made in recent years.”

The report included an assessment of 274 conditions that achieved compliance. For the 35 conditions that were scored partial compliance these were largely administrative (e.g. document management) and no high risks were identified to the environment. MRM has either addressed these or is in the process of doing so.

Download a copy of the fact sheet (PDF 1.7MB).

For further information, please contact:

Media

Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa

Tracy Jones
m: +61 418 251 774
e: Tracy Jones

Notes for editors

About Glencore

Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 responsibly-sourced commodities that advance everyday life. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites and oil production assets.

With a strong footprint in over 35 countries in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial activities are supported by a global network of more than 30 marketing offices. Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 135,000 people, including contractors.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050. For more information, visit Glencore's website.

About McArthur River Mine

McArthur River Mine is located in the Northern Territory approximately 970 kilometres south-east from Darwin and 60 kilometres south-west of its closest township, Borroloola. McArthur River Mine mines one of the world’s largest zinc and lead deposits.

McArthur River Mine provides direct employment to about 1,150 people, including contractors. In 2020, we contributed over $500 million to the local, Territory and national economies through our payment of wages, spend on goods and services from about 900 suppliers – much of which we sourced in the Territory – taxes and community investment projects.