Community contributions
The mining industry can play a central role in building and maintaining the financial strength of local communities, for example through making contributions that support the development of small businesses and projects which build communities' capacity. However, there is also a risk that communities become dependent on mining industry support, which can cause significant issues when a mining operation eventually closes. Therefore, community contributions are the most effective when the projects they support can survive without input from a mining company - in other words, the projects are sustainable. Our overall aim is that community dependence on mining activities decreases over time.
Rio Tinto Coal Australia's community contributions are provided in three main areas. Contributions in 2007 were AUD $5.7 million (excluding mitigation costs).
- Mitigation - this involves paying for any infrastructure, or managing any impacts, that have been directly caused by mining operations. Examples include road relocation, water supply, energy supply, noise and dust mitigation measures and land rehabilitation.
- Community development funds - funding applications are assessed by a board, of both RTCA and other community representatives, with the aim of contributing to local communities in a manner that improves their long term sustainability
In 2007, Rio Tinto Coal Australia's seven community development funds approved $3 million in funding. Of this:
- 28 per cent was for economic enhancement programmes, for example, by supporting grants officer roles in four local government areas in the Hunter Valley
- 28 per cent was for education and training, for example, supporting Singleton High School to establish a centre to provide explicit learning opportunities for Aboriginal students and their immediate and extended families, instilling a shared value of education, culture and identity
- 17 per cent was for business development programmes, for example, assisting Commerce Queensland to deliver workshops to assist businesses in Emerald, Capella and Clermont to further enhance and develop their business skills
- 15 per cent was for personal development programmes, for example, supporting Indigenous participation in rugby league in the South Burnett
- 8 per cent was for environmental and cultural programmes, for example, supporting the Mackay Conservation Group to undertake a study to determine the feasibility of training community volunteers to monitor biodiversity
- 4 per cent was for other programmes.
More details about each fund are provided at the following links:
- Hail Creek Mine Community Development Fund
- Blair Athol Mine Community Development Fund
- Kestrel Mine Community Development Fund
- Coal & Allied Aboriginal Development Consultative Committee
With the sale of Tarong Mine in early 2008, RTCA no longer operates the Tarong Community Development Fund or the Aboriginal Community Interest Consultative Committee.
A 2007 target was to successfully operate each of these funds to achieve closer alignment with the business. We carried out a review to identify how the funds contribute to fulfilling business needs at each site, and also identified strengths of each fund that can be shared as best practice across the business.
Partnerships, sponsorships and donations - read more about our partnerships, sponsorships and donations.
Rio Tinto Coal Australia also makes contributions to the economy.
