Communities

Community relations

Macarthur Coal is conscious of its role within the global community and within the communities in which it operates.

The Company recognises that its long-term business sustainability is dependent on social, economic, environmental and health and safety performance and that its stakeholders increasingly measure the Company's success across all four areas.

Macarthur Coal's community relations strategies and policies are grouped under the following headings:

  • Environment
  • Community
  • Health and Safety




Financial contribution to the community

As a responsible corporate citizen, Macarthur Coal contributes financially to the economy at both a state and federal level and to the communities in which it operates.

In 2011 Macarthur Coal spent:

  • over $64.9 million in salaries, wages and superannuation to its employees (excluding contractors, on a 100% project basis)
  • $121.6 million in dividends to shareholders
  • $104.0 million in company tax to the Australian Government
  • $68.2 million in royalties to the Queensland Government (on a 100% joint venture basis).

Under Queensland Government regulations, a royalty of 7% (and up to 10% for coal sales valued above $100 per tonne) is payable on all Macarthur Coal's revenue. The royalty amount is based on the AUD sales price less port costs.

The Company also made a substantial contribution to the local communities in which it operates through the purchase of services and supplies as well as through donations and sponsorships. Employees and contractors at Coppabella and Moorvale mines and the Middlemount Mine project also add a significant economic contribution to the Nebo, Coppabella, Moranbah and Middlemount townships through their purchases from local businesses.



Community

Macarthur Coal is conscious of its role within the global community and within the communities in which it operates. The company recognises that its long-term business sustainability is dependent on social, economic and environmental performance and that its stakeholders increasingly measure the company's success across all three areas.

Good community relations and responsible environmental management are essential for Macarthur Coal to maintain a relationship of trust, transparency and integrity with all stakeholders including customers, suppliers, local communities and employees.



Macarthur Coal's Community Relations Policy is governed by the following:

  1. Having a responsible attitude to the Company's impact
  2. Building strong and mutually rewarding relationships with the communities in which the Company operates
  3. Acting responsibly and proactively with respect to the environment
  4. Being open and ethical in all the Company's operations
  5. Contributing to the community through the Company's Sponsorships and Donations Program
  6. The need to meet shareholder expectations for prudent stewardship.




Community Relations Policy

We recognise the importance of and are committed to establishing and maintaining strong relationships with the communities within whch we operate.


To demonstrate commitment in achieving and maintaining our objectives, we will:

  • engage and communicate with community representatives, government bodies, non-government organisations, local authorities and other stakeholders on issues that affect them
  • support appropriate projects and regularly review our contribution to social and economic development using the following criteria to select projects:
    • educational initiatives – including initiatives to address the resource sector skills shortage
    • programs which support and develop opportunities and initiatives for children
    • community development and assistance
    • charities and/or services which impact on the communities in which Macarthur Coal operates (The Company will provide funding or assistance only to those community projects where the Macarthur Coal's donation does not represent the major component of the project's or the organisation's income)
  • allow for the different cultures, lifestyles, heritage and preferences of the communities in which we operate
  • allow for the different cultures, lifestyles, heritage and preferences of the communities in which we operate
  • provide adequate resources, support and training to our people who have responsibilities for community-related activities to ensure that our staff are appropriately resourced, supported and skilled
  • consult with and actively involve employees, contractors and other stakeholders to maximise the effectiveness of our policies, standards, procedures and work practicesd
  • establish mechanisms to keep personnel informed and to provide for open communication.

The Company's policies will be reviewed from time to time to ensure they remain in accordance with statutory and corporate requirements, encourage best practice, and drive overall planning, implementation and continuous improvement processes.