Cloncurry Kindergarten upgrades facilities

Media release

Cloncurry Kindergarten and Glencore have banded together to improve bathroom facilities for the growing number of children attending the early childhood learning service.

Glencore has provided $35,000 for the upgrade of toilets and hand washing facilities at the kindergarten to boost hygiene and accommodate future demand on the kindergarten from local families. Works to provide greater access to toilets, hand washing facilities and storage, began on the 16th of December and are due to be completed by the end of January.

Cloncurry Kindergarten is an inclusive learning centre that supports children to be curious, capable and collaborative learners. It offers a range of learning experiences and activities that help local children make a smooth transition to primary school.

Director of the Cloncurry Kindergarten Association, Amanda Condren, said the number of children attending the kindergarten each day jumped from 22 to 33 in 2018 and that the project will benefit the Cloncurry Kindergarten children for many years to come.

“Cloncurry Kindergarten is currently exceeding service requirements as outlined in the national quality framework and this project will ensure that we not only continue to meet all of the children’s needs but that we still go above and beyond, surpassing expectations on a daily basis. These additional facilities will give the children more space to gain independence in personal hygiene, develop essential skills around hygiene prior to their commencement of school and this also gives us the potential to have more children attending our service.”

Chief Operating Officer for Glencore’s copper operations Australia, Matt O’Neill, said the company targets its support at initiatives with broad-reaching and long-lasting benefits such as this one.

“We conduct a community survey every three years and local residents told us in our 2019 survey that improved education services and facilities was in their top five infrastructure priorities for Cloncurry,” Mr O’Neill explained.

“We are proud to be able to support the kindergarten which plays a key role in the community’s well-being by encouraging a love of learning among children in the local area.”

For further information, please contact:

Nadine Roberts
m: +61 436 341 650
e: Nadine Roberts

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 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.

Ernest Henry Mining

Ernest Henry Mining is an underground copper and gold mining and processing operation, located near Cloncurry in north-west Queensland. The mine commenced commercial production in March 1998 as an open pit mine, transitioning to underground operations in December 2011. A new kilometre-deep underground shaft was opened in June 2014 marking the start of hoisting operations.

Mined ore is processed at our on-site concentrator and copper concentrate containing gold is transported by road, using local contractors, to Glencore's copper smelter in Mount Isa. Ernest Henry provides work for around 500 employees plus contractors.