Global miner Anglo American and Komatsu have announced a new mine rehabilitation partnership that will see more than 9,000 trees planted at Anglo American's Dawson Mine in Central Queensland's Bowen Basin.
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Global miner Anglo American and Komatsu with the help of students from Moura and Banana state schools, will plant more than 9,000 trees at Anglo American’s Dawson Mine in Central Queensland’s Bowen Basin.
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The partnership, Growing Together, aims to return mined land to agricultural use, and support the reestablishment of native plant species using the latest reclamation methods.
It commenced with employees from both companies working together to plant more than 4,000 trees at Dawson Mine last month. They were joined by around 40 students from Moura and Banana State Schools and Traditional Owners from the Gangulu Nation. Together, they demonstrated sustainable mining practices in action, planting various native eucalyptus species across a 90-hectare site where mining activities have ceased.
Chief Executive Officer of Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal business, Tyler Mitchelson, says the project was a great example of like-minded companies coming together to support sustainable mining practices in the region.
“Collaboration across our industry and the communities where we operate is a powerful way to achieve improved sustainability outcomes in the local area,” Mitchelson says.
“We’re committed to the highest standards of environmental performance, and this new partnership with Komatsu adds to our existing $162 million rehabilitation investment across our five Central Queensland mine sites.
“More than $80 million will be spent on rehabilitation at Dawson Mine over five years (2019 – 2023), which has been leading the way in innovative rehabilitation approaches,” Mitchelson adds.
The planting included a pilot of biodegradable COCOON® planting technology, which reduces the need for irrigation, to help drought-proof the newly planted trees. The Cocoon pods require 100 times less water than traditional methods and can support a young plant through its critical first year with an accessible reservoir of water and moisture.
President and CEO of Komatsu Mining Corp. Jeffrey Dawes said the new partnership is a continuation of Komatsu’s Growing Forward signature environmental initiative, the reforestation of formerly mined lands, which was launched on Earth Day 2019 to advance the company’s commitment to a sustainable future for all.
“We believe that maintaining high environmental standards is more than a good business practice – it is a fundamental responsibility owed to our employees, customers, communities and the environment we all share,” Dawes says.
“We are proud to be working together with Anglo American and members of the local community as we expand our global focus on reforestation of formerly mined lands.”
The Growing Together project is being undertaken in coordination with environmental consultants from Australian firm EMM, and support from Anglo American’s rehabilitation contractor, Moorvale Earthmoving.