Further sign-off for Rolleston rehabilitation work

Media statement
Brisbane, Australia

Glencore’s Rolleston open cut coal operation in central Queensland has received government sign-off on a further 194 hectares of rehabilitated mined land, an area nearly two kilometres long and one kilometre wide.

It represents the third successful application for sign-off by the site, with a total of 581 hectares of rehabilitation now having been assessed as meeting completion criteria.

That represents more than 40% of the site’s rehabilitation work.

The latest certification is across three areas and includes the Bootes Creek Diversion, the first time a Glencore site has achieved sign-off on this type of rehabilitation.

Rolleston submitted 60 hectares of land that will support cattle grazing, 45 hectares of native grassland and 88 hectares of the Bootes Creek diversion work, which will also be used for grazing.

“Meeting closure criteria on more areas of our rehabilitation is the culmination of years of effort,” Rolleston Operations Manager Paul Sear said.

“Our employees really do take enormous pride in this aspect of mining. Many of them are from rural backgrounds and they appreciate the importance of returning land to productive and sustainable uses once mining activity is complete.”

In total, the latest certification represents the 10th successful application for sign-off by a Glencore coal operation and the eighth at a Queensland site, following previous certification for 211 hectares at Newlands (2017 & 2021), almost 400 hectares at Rolleston (2018 & 2019), 99 hectares at Collinsville (2020) and 565 hectares at Oaky Creek (2020, 2022).

NSW sites Westside (38 hectares in 2020) and Ulan (52 hectares in 2020) have also achieved sign-off on areas of rehabilitation.

Glencore’s Director of Environment & Community, John Watson, said a number of sites in both Queensland and New South Wales were currently preparing submissions for further certification.

“We place high importance at all our sites on completing rehabilitation as soon as possible on land no longer needed for mining activities,” Mr Watson said.

“The latest achievement by Rolleston underlines the value of that approach.

“We’ve been able to achieve completion criteria – such as landform stability, water management, established vegetation and sustainability – while the site is still operational.

“In fact, some of the certification applies to areas that were being mined less than 10 years ago.”

For further information, please contact:

Allyn Hamonet
m: +61 418 228 075
e: Allyn Hamonet

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

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 commodities. 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 activities are supported by its global marketing network.

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.

Visit Glencore's website to find out more.

About Glencore Australia

In Australia, Glencore produces coal, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead, silver and gold from 25 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 17,350 people in Australia and in 2021 contributed $14 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $9.2 billion with 8,630 businesses across the country, as well as $2.9 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.

Learn more about Glencore Australia.

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 2021 managed the production of about 100 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.

Visit Glencore Coal's website to learn more.