Nov 24 2008
Peabody Energy's Metropolitan Mine has earned a New South Wales (NSW) Minerals Council Environmental Excellence Award for successful restoration of works on the Waratah Rivulet, southwest of Sydney.
The NSW Minerals Council Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nikki Williams said, “The Awards acknowledge and celebrate leadership, innovation and commitment to environmental management and community engagement in the NSW minerals industry.”
This technology employed by Peabody has recently been recognised by Government departments as the trial proved that the damming characteristics and aesthetic values of rock bars on the Rivulet can be successfully restored without impacts to water quality or quantity. Peabody will continue to assess the use of this method in other areas of the Rivulet if required.
The award has been heavily criticised by environmental groups who say the award is rewarding one of the worst environmental disasters in NSW as an example of good practice. David Burgess from the Total Environment Centre, said the remediation work was not a long term fix and said, "Companies should pull back from mining around natural features until they can prove that they will not be damaged.".
Further damage is expected to be caused by expansion of mining operations including the sinking of the Princes Highway by more than a metre in places, damage to bridges and other infrastructure. The company has the position that any cracking and sinking could be easily repaired. Ann Young, a hydrologist doesn't hold this view and believes long term remediation is impossible saying, "I think fixing up the rock bar here and there is sort of like putting a Band-Aid on a long wound."
Peabody’s Wilpinjong Mine also was honoured in the Community section, earning a Highly Commended Award for its strategic partnership with the North East Wiradjuri Native Title Party.
“Excellence in stewardship is core to Peabody’s mission,” said Julian Thornton, Managing Director of Peabody Energy Australia. “Recognition of our environmental and community initiatives by the NSW Minerals Council, the Sydney Catchment Authority and industry experts enables us to further enhance our commitment to the environment and to the communities in which we operate.”.
Thornton also said that the Wilpinjong / North East Wiradjuri Native Title relationship has brought significant benefits to a large number of Aboriginal clans in the area which have a flow-on effect to the wider local community.
Ms. Robyn Williams of North East Wiradjuri Native Title Party was very pleased to receive the Award and said that Peabody had worked closely with the North East Wiradjuri community to establish corporate governance and workable best practice methodologies early on.
Ms. Williams said, “The most important element was having Peabody assist us with the actual execution of the plans. This has resulted in direct benefits to our community including training, employment and business opportunities through the transfer of land, protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage and progressive land remediation.”
North East Wiradjuri Native Title Party and Peabody Energy Australia’s partnership was also awarded the popular vote – the NSW Minerals Council People’s Choice Award on the night.
Peabody Energy is the world’s largest private-sector coal company. Its coal products fuel approximately 10 percent of all U.S. electricity generation and 2 percent of worldwide electricity.