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Resources are often located in remote areas where there are few or no competing land uses. However, there are also many instances where resources stretch beneath towns and farming districts. This is the case in New South Wales. It’s a bit like a giant game of Twister where you may find the mining industry operating on top of the viticulture industry and next door to thoroughbred stud farms, dairying, olive producers and grain growers. All of these industries contribute to the vibrancy of a community, which is the hallmark of a sustainable region.
Mining companies understand that to operate successfully within such close proximity to communities, towns and cities, they need what is called a ‘social licence to operate’. This means working with local communities to understand and meet their expectations of the industry, as well as giving back to the community.
Mining companies undertake a variety of activities to support their local communities. On average the industry spends more than $1.5 billion a year on local and regional suppliers and contributes more than $10 million a year towards local community projects and amenities. Some of the many initiatives that the industry has supported can be found in the Community Partnerships section of the website.
Mining companies also play their part as local citizens by helping to preserve historical sites. Newcrest Mining and the NSW Heritage Office collaborated to excavate and relocate an historic 19th century cemetery at Cadia Valley mine near Orange from 1998-2000. Mining company Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Dartbrook likewise collaborated in the restoration of the 19th century Kayuga Village Cemetery in the Upper Hunter from 2003-2006. These examples demonstrate the mining industry’s commitment to heritage principles.
Mining companies also routinely collaborate with local Indigenous communities to preserve Indigenous heritage, such as the agreement between mining company Peabody and the Wilpinjong Indigenous community to preserve Indigenous sites and artefacts at the Wilpinjong mine near Mudgee.
In a further demonstration of the mining industry’s contribution to preserving NSW heritage, BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal has an ongoing commitment to the annual Mt Kembla Mining Heritage Festival near Wollongong, which commemorates mining history in the area.
Mining companies work closely with local communities to protect and enhance the local environment. For example, in the Upper Hunter Valley Anglo American Metallurgical Coal undertook a major reforestation project to save the threatened majestic river red gums. The project has created the second largest population of river red gums in the region and has also improved the water quality.
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Policy and Advocacy- Communities- Community Engagement
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