Xstrata Copper North Queensland.pdf - Mount Isa Mines

Sustainable communities
Corporate Social
Involvement program
In 2010 the Mount Isa Mines copper
operations supported 10 initiatives with
a program value of $280,000 under the
XCPPNQ. See page 64 for further information
on our partnerships. This is a significant
reduction to our 2009 XCPPNQ contribution
of $2.7 million; however last year’s figure
was a result of two large social infrastructure
projects totalling $2.25 million being
supported through the program.
In addition to the XCPPNQ, we invested
$326,548 in 2010 on sponsorships, donations
and other community initiatives including
support of many major community events
and significant in-kind support to community
groups through provision of goods, materials
or personnel time. Please refer to the pie
graphs on page 63.
Community grievances
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines operates a 24-hour
community feedback hotline to manage
complaints and enquiries and to provide
feedback to callers. In late 2010, we launched
a freecall Community Feedback Hotline
1800 892 892 and a dedicated feedback
page on the Mount Isa Mines website
www.mountisamines.com.au to further
strengthen the link between our operation
and the community.
In 2010, 53 complaints relating to our copper
operations were received in Mount Isa and
71 fallout damage claims were made. The
majority of our complaints related to fumes
and in each case complainants were advised
of the current Air Quality Control (AQC)
Centre status and any action being taken.
The AQC Centre closely monitors emissions
and automatically closes down the smelter if
emissions approach regulatory limits. Please
refer to the pie graph on page 63.
Indigenous rights and
Aboriginal cultural
heritage
The Mount Isa Mines copper operations
facilitate the active involvement of Indigenous
peoples such as the Kalkadoon through
consultation, including capacity building
initiatives where necessary or appropriate.
Our Indigenous Affairs Policy has taken the
position that identification of local lands
with concern to Indigenous peoples shall
be based on the Native Title Claims Register
administered by the Australian Government’s
National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT).
“We have continued to
work collaboratively
with the Kalkadoon
people to improve
operational procedures
to ensure the protection
and preservation of
Aboriginal cultural
heritage sites.”
Any person carrying out an activity has
an obligation to take all reasonable and
practicable measures to ensure the activity
does not harm Aboriginal cultural heritage.
To ensure compliance with this obligation,
our internal procedures require us to seek the
engagement of the identified Aboriginal Party
in the planning, conducting and reporting
of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Surveys prior
to undertaking an activity that may disturb
Aboriginal cultural heritage within the site
of operations.
We have continued to work collaboratively
with the Kalkadoon people to improve
operational procedures to ensure the
protection and preservation of Aboriginal
cultural heritage sites of significance on our
Mount Isa mining lease.
In 2010 we continued to assess all new
mining and project areas for cultural
significance, such as archaeological and
sacred sites, prior to disturbance and in
consultation with the Kalkadoon people.
Both parties worked together during 2010
to develop strategies to avoid impacts where
possible and to ensure that both parties
have access to important sites prior to any
activities being undertaken by Xstrata Copper
on such sites.
No incidents of a breach or unauthorised
disturbance of cultural heritage sites or
artefacts were reported in 2010. However, in
July 2010, Xstrata Mount Isa Mines was fined
$80,000 in respect of inadvertent damage to
cultural heritage objects while a contractor
worked to upgrade a road in Mount Isa
in 2008.
Draft internal Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
and Land Clearance procedures had been
developed in consultation with the Kalkadoon
people and were being trialled when the
incident occurred. The procedures were
reviewed in the light of the incident and are
now in place. We take the issue of protecting
Aboriginal cultural heritage very seriously and
deeply regret this incident.
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines has a good working
relationship with the Kalkadoon people and
continued to work collaboratively with the
Kalkadoon people to improve operational
procedures to ensure the protection and
preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage
sites of significance in 2010.
STEPers
In November 2008, the Mount Isa Mines
copper operations signed an inaugural
Structured Training Employment Project
Employment Related Services (STEPers)
contract with the Commonwealth
Government’s Department of Employment,
Education and Workplace Resources (DEEWR).
This joint initiative with Jobfind Centres
Australia and DEEWR to increase job
opportunities for Indigenous people at our
operations continued throughout 2010.
During the year a new, expanded program
the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP)
replaced STEPers. The program builds on
existing program strengths and includes more
support for small and medium businesses
employers, including pre-employment training
and mentoring. IEP will target regional
areas and specific industries such as the
mining industry that are experiencing labour
shortages, as well as provide assistance
to develop plans to recruit and retain
Indigenous employees.
A total of 15 traineeships were undertaken
in 2009 with full-time employment
opportunities offered to nine participants
during that year. Four indigenous trainees
completed their traineeship in 2010 and
have obtained full-time positions. An
Indigenous trainee that obtained a full-time
position post-STEPers has been successful
in obtaining an apprenticeship for 2011.
Four Indigenous trainees who went through
the pre-employment program were offered
traineeships in 2010 and will commence
in 2011.
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Survey
Outcomes 2010
Number of Aboriginal Cultural
Heritage Surveys completed
11
Total area covered (hectares) 1,360
Findings 2010
Aboriginal artefacts 6
Sites of significance 1
62 XSTRATA COPPER NORTH QUEENSLAND