Sustainable development

We are committed to target zero harm, operating in an environmentally sustainable way and contributing to the long-term development of the communities that surround our operations.

Our aim is to minimise environmental harm caused by our operations by designing, operating and ultimately closing our mines in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way. Robust management of environmental issues is consistent with our values and long-term business interests. We believe this strategy is fundamental to effective operational management and a source of competitive advantage.

Environmental management plans are in place across all operations outlining the steps to be taken to minimise environmental impacts of our mining activities.
Examples of environmental issues mitigated by these plans include:

• Minimising energy consumption by using conveyors instead of trucks to move materials long distances and to reduce water applied to roads
• Minimising raw water consumption by installing ‘backbone’ water pipeline to maximise water recycling and drought proof areas of the mine
• Biodiversity: adopting modern standards in environmental management and establishing nature refuges
• Improving long-term sustainability of rehabilitated ground by re-mining old spoils and rehabilitating to current industry standards
• State-of-the-art dust control during coal handling
• Greenhouse gas monitoring and management through an integrated action plan

Our environmental management plans include water management. We take all necessary steps to comply with mine licence water release limits.

Detailed mine closure plans are developed for all operations which outline the steps we will take post mining. The steps are to:

• Provide a safe landscape for the community
• Remove any waste or potentially hazardous materials from the site
• Establish self-sustaining vegetation to provide habitat for local flora and fauna species
• Develop landforms that return the land affected by mining to a condition that is suitable for a range of sustainable land uses, such as grazing
• Develop land uses that benefit the future use of the site for the local community

Current initiatives:

• We have teamed up with Central Queensland University to research a rare tree species found at Callide Mine near Biloela by offering a tax-free PhD scholarship and research support for studies on the biology and conservation of the threatened plant, Quassia bidwillii
• In late December 2009, Moranbah North mine commissioned a AU$2.6 million desalination plant that produces two mega litres of potable water each day to offset the mine’s daily water consumption, delivering environmental benefits and reducing costs
• In November 2009, Dawson mine created a 22-hectare trial hardwood plantation on adjoining land previously disturbed by the mine
• Our representatives are assisting Isaac Regional Council to determine the impacts of industry-related dust in Moranbah and the associated community concerns by participating in the council’s recently formed Moranbah Cumulative Impact Group (MCIG)
• $12 million a year to rehabilitate more than 600 hectares at our open cut operations for the next 10 years.