Glencore’s Mt Owen Glendell coal complex celebrates a partnership in safety and training

Media statement
Newcastle, Australia

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) will be prominently featured on a giant haul truck tray at Glencore’s Mt Owen Glendell (MGO) mining complex as a workforce reminder of both companies’ commitment to safe work practices.

The tray was unveiled at the MGO complex this week with the site also donating $10,000 to the WRHS.

A long-term corporate supporter and official training partner of the WHRS, Glencore recently funded the purchase and installation of a new GeoSim Flight Simulator at the service's Belmont base.

It will allow pilots and aircrew officers to access state-of-the-art training that will ensure the WRHS continues to safely deliver world-class aeromedical support for local communities across Northern New South Wales.

Mt Owen Project Manager, Evan Fleming, said the haul truck hi-vis artwork was an innovative idea from the MGO workforce to reinforce the safety message and the importance of the service to the Hunter community.

“We know what an asset the Westpac Rescue Helicopter is,” Mr Fleming said.

“MGO’s workforce donated more than $33,000 to an amazing total of $272,000 that Glencore’s Hunter employees gave to the Service in 2020/21 alone, which was over and above our corporate sponsorship.

“We also appreciate there’s a shared focus on safety, so it’s not surprising that our people were keen to see the helicopter alongside our site logo on this truck.

“The unique tray in the truck fleet is an important daily reminder for our workers about No Plan No Work. The principal message of No Plan No Work expects that if you do not have a plan, you do not start the work, which is supported by the messaging of Plan Right, Finish Right.”

The service’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Richard Jones, said the MGO gesture was another demonstration of how strongly the Hunter community had supported the service since its inception in 1975.

“The support within the Hunter Valley and, in particular, the local mining sector is crucial,” Mr Jones said.

“To be here today with the employees at Mt Owen as they receive their brand new haul truck tray proudly displaying the WHRS logo is pretty special and humbling.

“It’s an employee-led initiative that not only provides a reminder of the support the workforce provides for our service, but will also help keep everyone focussed on safe working practices.

For further information, please contact:

Nathan Ryan
m: +61 487 549 843
e: Nathan Ryan

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.

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. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050.

For more information, visit Glencore's website. 

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.

Visit Glencore Australia's website to find out more.

About Glencore's coal business in Australia

Glencore is one of Australia's largest coal producers with 17 operational mines across New South Wales and Queensland.

We provide employment for almost 10,000 Australians and in 2020 managed the production of about 99 million tonnes of thermal and coking coal, predominantly for export.

We have a strong safety and environmental performance and play an active role in the development of low emission coal technology.