McArthur River Mine statement on NT Minister decision
Media statement
Darwin, Australia
McArthur River Mine (MRM) notes the Northern Territory Heritage Minister’s decision (tabled last night in the NT Parliament) in response to our application for a review under section 32(3) of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (NT).
This decision relates to an application lodged in 2018 seeking a variation to a current Aboriginal Areas Authority (AAPA) Certificate to allow an increase in the height of the Northern Overburden Emplacement Facility (NOEF) at the mine.
MRM has since publicly committed to engaging with traditional custodians to negotiate an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) facilitated by the Northern Land Council (NLC).
We remain committed to these negotiations and broad consultation with Traditional Owners (TOs) on a variety of matters, including sacred sites and cultural heritage protection, to ensure the benefits of our operations are shared with TOs and the wider community.
MRM will continue to operate in accordance with its regulatory approvals and remains committed to further development of our mine site.
For further information, please contact:
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 responsible-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 and marketing 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 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.
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About Glencore Australia
In Australia, Glencore produces coal, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead, silver and gold from 26 mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including metals smelters, concentrators 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 17,690 people in Australia and in 2020 contributed over $13.8 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $9.5 billion with 7,890 businesses across the country, as well as $2.1 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.
Glencore recognises our responsibility to contribute to the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050. In August 2021 we increased our medium-term emission reduction target to a 50% reduction by 2035 and introduced a new short-term target of a 15% reduction by 2026.
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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 1,130 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 900 suppliers – much of which we sourced in the Territory – taxes and community investment projects.