McArthur River Mine comment on AAPA court proceedings
Media statement
Darwin, Australia
McArthur River Mine (MRM) has acknowledged that in 2017, the company carried out minor works in or around the vicinity of a sacred site without the appropriate formal certification from the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA).
To ensure environmental sampling could be done safely, MRM installed signage and metal handrails on the relevant site.
MRM did engage with an Indigenous custodian of the sacred site and acted on the understanding that it had consent to carry out these works.
MRM acknowledges that these actions did not meet formal regulatory requirements in relation to obtaining formal certification from AAPA.
MRM apologises and regrets the concern this has caused to Indigenous Traditional Owners and custodians.
MRM is currently working with Traditional Owners to agree and implement appropriate cultural heritage management processes in relation to areas of cultural heritage significance at MRM.
For further information, please contact:
Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa
Notes for editors
About Glencore Australia
In Australia, Glencore produces coal, zinc, nickel, cobalt, copper, lead and silver from 22 active mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including concentrators, smelters and refineries.
We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.
We employ 17,460 people in Australia and in 2023 contributed almost $23.5 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $12.9 billion with 7,000 businesses across the country, as well as $8.2 billion in government tax and royalty payments.
We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.
We will support the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement through our efforts to decarbonise our own operational footprint. We believe that we should take a holistic approach and have considered our commitment through the lens of our global industrial emissions. Against a restated 2019 baseline, we are targeting to reduce our Scope 1, 2 and 3 industrial emissions by 15% by the end of 2026, 25% by the end of 2030, 50% by the end of 2035 and we have an ambition to achieve net zero industrial emissions by the end of 2050, subject to a supportive policy environment.
Learn more about Glencore Australia.
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. MRM mines one of the world’s largest zinc and lead deposits.
MRM provides direct employment to about 1,230 people, including contractors. In 2023, we contributed $794 million to the local, Territory and national economies through our payment of wages, spend on goods and services from 930 suppliers – including many in the Territory – taxes and community investment projects.
Visit MRM's website for more information.