Transcript Slide 1
Cowal Gold Mine Community Relations Update CEMCC – 29 August 2012 Community Relations Community Relations activities Wiradjuri update Complaints Operational projects Staff movements Community Relations Activities since last CEMCC Meeting Barrick had a presence at the West Wyalong High School’s Science Fair which is held in conjunction with National Science Week. Presented at the 2nd Annual Stakeholder Engagement and Social License Conference in Brisbane during August. Presented at the Mining NSW Conference in Orange during August. Hosted a visits from Delegates of the Mining NSW Conference, International Geology Conference and numerous other school and community visits. Received positive media coverage in Forbes and Condobolin for ongoing sponsorship of Life Education in the region and further coverage in West Wyalong for the opening of the Men’s Shed.. Submitted 6 monthly complaint summary to government and other stakeholders (including CEMCC). Received positive feedback from the Bland Shire Council. Ongoing meetings regarding Bland Shire tourism proposal (Gold Trails) and Paris in the West. Released the Cowal Update during July/August. Community Relations Upcoming activities Road Safe September – month long campaign focused on road safety messages to employees, school students and the broader community. This is an annual campaign which has grown significantly in 2012. Near Neighbours Visit and BBQ – Over twenty of the mines nearest neighbours will be undertaking a tour of the mine this Friday followed by a BBQ at the LCCC. Scholarship BBQ – During the next University holiday, Endeavour and Wiradjuri Scholarship recipients will be invited to attend a BBQ at the LCCC to celebrate their ongoing studies and share their success stories with Barrick. Barrick’s Annual Charity Golf Day – Being held in early September. All proceeds will go to local charities. Christmas Party – Preparations for Barrick’s annual staff and contractors Christmas Party are underway. Family and Community Days – 13 and 14 October – Opportunity for the families of mine employees and for the broader community to visit the mine and learn about what we do. Community Relations Wiradjuri Three-yearly Deed Review commenced on 11 May 2012 Deed Review process will require a series of meetings throughout the year Since last CEMCC meeting, Barrick received a letter from WCC listing matters to be discussed during next review meeting. Barrick has responded, seeking to schedule next review meeting for early October, 2012. Community Relations Complaints CGM has Received 11 Formal Complaints Since the last meeting of the CEMCC which was held on 13 June 2012. Two further calls have been made to the complaints hotline for matters that were not complaints (system test calls from Barrick employee). The complaints received relate to: Blasting/Vibration (8) Operational Noise (2) Light (2) * One light complaint was made in conjunction with a blasting complaint The 11 complaints received were from a selection of stakeholders: Complainant W (6) – 55% Complainant X (3) – 27% Complainant Y (1) – 9% - complainant Y was a construction contractor undertaking works at the home of complainant W. Complainant Z (1) – 9% Community Relations Complaints Actions taken to deal with complaints: BLASTING: • Records of all blast monitoring and reports have been provided to complainants to confirm ongoing compliance with Development Consent Conditions • Barrick engaged structural engineers from KBR to attend the homes of two complainants (W & X) and undertake dilapidation surveys. Copies of dilapidation survey reports will be provided to the complainants. • Final Dilapidation survey reports were posted to complainants in August 2012. The reports indicate that Barrick’s activities are unlikely to have caused the damage reported by the complainants. The reports nominate other potential causes of the reported damage. • Details of Barrick’s actions to address these complaints has now been provided to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. • Further complaints regarding blasting will be resolved by responding to the complainant within 24 hours and providing a data summary table demonstrating the blast impact (vibration and overpressure) within 48 hours. Community Relations Complaints Actions taken to deal with complaints: OPERATIONAL NOISE: • Copies of all noise monitoring reports have been provided to complainants to confirm ongoing compliance with Development Consent Conditions. • Scheduled Noise Monitoring was undertaken during July at key locations adjacent to relevant complainant’s (W) home. The Report on this monitoring was provided to Barrick this week. The Report indicates Barrick’s operation noise impacts at the home of complainant W are compliant with the Development Consent Conditions. • One complainant (W) has engaged legal counsel and their own noise monitoring consultant. Barrick stands ready to assist with information where requested and possible. • Barrick has offered to assist with the installation of noise mitigation treatments at the home of two complainants (W & X) to address their concerns regarding operational noise, despite Barrick’s ongoing compliance with Development Consent Conditions. • Details of Barrick’s actions to address these complaints will be provided to the relevant government agency. Community Relations Complaints Actions taken to deal with complaints: LIGHT: • These complaints were able to be addressed by attending the home of the complainants. A call was then made to Barrick’s site supervisor who was able to adjust the lighting arrangement on the instruction of Barrick’s Community Relations Manager who was attending the home of the complainant. Community Relations Operations PFS/FS for possible mine extension ongoing Community Information Program to be developed and communicated in Q3 Awaiting advice to proceed or otherwise. Community Relations Staff Movements Elliot Willemsen-Bell commenced as Senior CR Advisor on 25 June 2012 Karen Worthington has returned from maternity leave and is now engaged as Community Relations Officer (part time) Sarah Gillett continues as Community Relations Officer (full time) Questions…