McArthur River Mine: ‘People of the Sea’
A unique partnership between sea rangers and a mining company is helping keep the waters in the remote Gulf of Carpentaria healthy.
Sponsored Content
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sponsored Content. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A unique partnership between sea rangers and a mining company is helping keep the waters in the remote Gulf of Carpentaria healthy.
The collaboration is between the li-Anthawirriyarra (people of the sea) Sea Ranger Unit and Glencore’s McArthur River Mining (MRM).
The partnership sees them working together to monitor the health of the marine waters around the company’s Bing Bong Loading Facility.
Located 700km south-east of Darwin and 65km from Borroloola, MRM is developing one of the world’s largest zinc deposits, where it mines and processes zinc concentrates on site before being exported to customers right across the globe.
Zinc produced at MRM is used to preserve and extend the life of steel products. It’s found in construction materials, as well as everyday goods like cars, trains, ovens, washing machines and fridges. It’s also an important metal in creating renewable technologies like solar panels and wind turbines.
The marine environment surrounding Bing Bong has a high diversity of species and is home to globally significant populations such as the freshwater sawfish.
“The coastal waters of the Gulf hold significant cultural value to the local people of the region, forming an integral part of their connection to land and sea,” said MRM Health, Safety and Environment Manager Lana Treasure.
“So, it’s incredibly important to us that we respect this cultural heritage by protecting the environment, while remaining transparent with the local community.
“The partnership with the Sea Ranger Unit is two-fold. It ensures complete transparency while also ensuring traditional custodians are contributing to the long-term sustainability of our operations.”
“The partnership with the Sea Ranger Unit is two-fold. It ensures complete transparency while also ensuring traditional custodians are contributing to the long-term sustainability of our operations.”
Together, the team deploys sample collectors to buoys using a complex filter that is highly effective at detecting traces of metals in water, with the monitoring data demonstrating the marine environment around the facility is in good health and continues to be protected.
MRM Environment Superintendent Simon Longhurst said the Sea Ranger Unit’s deep knowledge of the local country is an incredible asset and inspiration to the team at MRM.
“The opportunity to work in partnership with the Sea Ranger Unit is profound and allows us to learn directly from traditional custodians on how we can best manage the environment around our operations.”
MRM’s partnership with the Sea Ranger Unit was highlighted as a key success in the 2022 Independent Monitor (IM) Report released earlier this year.
The annual IM Report provides an independent assessment of the mine’s environmental management and performance, with the latest IM report indicating a continuous improvement in its environmental performance and a 97 per cent “very high level of overall compliance”.
The Report also found MRM had no non-compliances against 908 conditions, no environmental issues requiring urgent attention, and 100 per cent compliance with its NT Environment Protection Authority recommendations.
“We’ll continue to deliver on the highest environmental standards, ensuring the environment around our operations are healthy and the local community’s values and beneficial uses continue to be protected,” said Simon.
To learn more about the partnership with the Sea Ranger Unit or the 2022 IM Report, visit glencore.com.au/mrm.
Delivering cost of living relief
Many Territorians are feeling the cost-of-living pressure with added costs for most of our goods and services.
Jessica Mauboy to perform at ‘A Night in the Tropics’ at Mindil Beach Casino Resort
This event is set to celebrate everything that is iconically Darwin – the weather, the food, the entertainment – including headline artist, Jessica Mauboy.