Mine workers in lockdown. A community in need. What's the connection?
Media statement
McArthur River Mine (MRM) has activated its local resident workforce for community projects while remote travel restrictions are in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mine worked with local organisations to identify community projects that could be undertaken by the 28 MRM staff who have been sent home on special paid leave during the current crisis.
The workers were sent home in mid-March before restrictions came into place for designated remote areas to ensure zero contact between the mine and the local community. Most of them live in Borroloola, 65km from the mine site.
MRM General Manager Steven Rooney said the company understands the threat of coronavirus to remote communities and protecting their health was one of the first measures put in place.
“We didn’t wait until restrictions were put in place to make this decision,”
“We took the proactive decision to send people
home because we know how devastating it would be should coronavirus reach the local area,” he said.
“Our people have great skills that have been put to use in the community,” Steven said.
So far the team has tidied and transformed the town centre, cemetery, museum and church, built an ablution block, helped out Parks and Wildlife and installed irrigation and fencing.
They have also been working hard to bring the community together, celebrating Mother’s Day with a community BBQ and wearing blue for Do it for Dolly Day.
The team has been supported by local community organisations.
“We are lucky to have the support of local organisations such as Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation, Roper Gulf Regional Council, Borroloola School, Parks and Wildlife and Borroloola Police,” Steven said.
The team will continue to work in the local community until they can return to site.
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For further information, please contact:
Media
Tracy Jones
m: +61 418 251 774
e: Tracy Jones
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 60 commodities. The Group's operations comprise over 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 160,000 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 2018, we spent $84.7 million on wages, $59.4 million on capital projects, $321.4 million on goods and services – much of which we sourced locally – and $1.8 million on community investment projects.