McArthur River Mine welcomes NT EPA Assessment Report

Media statement

McArthur River Mine (MRM) has welcomed the Assessment Report of the NT Environment Protection Authority on its Overburden Management Project which will secure 30 more years of production in the Territory.

The report recognises the current good health of the McArthur River and recommends the project proceed.

MRM General Manager Sam Strohmayr said he agreed with the NT EPA’s Assessment that mining can proceed safely and also with its finding that water quality in the McArthur River is good and fish are safe to eat.

“We have been through a very robust process and extensive studies which clearly demonstrate that we can manage the mine safely, protect the environment and keep Territorians employed for many years to come.

“While we still work to do before we receive full approvals from Government, this is a major step forward.

“This is good news for our workforce, particularly for our new apprentices, trainees and graduates who have recently joined our operations from the local area.

“Our continued operation will provide 30 more years of Territory jobs, 30 more years of supporting local business and 30 more years of supporting the local community.

“We look forward to continuing to work through this process with the relevant Ministers and government agencies.”

For further information, please contact:

Media

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

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

Notes for editors

Glencore

Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 90 commodities. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites, oil production assets and agricultural facilities. With a strong footprint in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of more than 90 offices located in over 50 countries.

Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, oil and food processing sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 146,000 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.

McArthur River Mining

McArthur River Mining (MRM) is located in the Northern Territory approximately 970 kilometres south-east from Darwin and 60 kilometres south-west of its closest town of Borroloola. MRM mines one of the world’s largest zinc and lead deposits. Established as an underground operation in 1995, MRM converted to open pit mining in 2006. MRM produces zinc and lead in concentrates which are primarily exported through Bing Bong loading facility on the southern coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The current mine life extends to 2036.

The mine provides direct employment to about 1,000 people, including contractors. In 2017, we spent $69 million on wages, $91 million on capital projects, $252 million on goods and services – much of which we sourced locally – and $1.8 million on community investment projects.