Newcrest Mining Limited has established a global A$20 million Community Support Fund to provide financial assistance to its host communities to help them face the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Newcrest have confirmed part of its $20 million Community Support Fund will assist the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne regions of New South Wales in Australia.
Newcrest Cadia Valley Operations acting General Manager Aaron Brannigan.
Newcrest Managing Director and CEO Sandeep Biswas said the health and safety of the company's people and host communities was its prime concern.
"The Community Support Fund will initially focus on increasing the availability of medical care and equipment to cope with the pandemic, as well as assisting in the provision of other essential goods and services, in the communities that host Newcrest's operations worldwide," he said.
In Australia, a portion of the Fund will be directed to the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne regions in New South Wales and the Telfer region in Western Australia.
Speaking to Central Western Daily, Newcrest Cadia Valley Operations acting General Manager Aaron Brannigan said Orange was no exception in the way it had been affected by the global pandemic.
"We plan to actively engage with members of our communities, all levels of government, our key stakeholders and other organisations, including the health service, to ensure our contribution has the greatest possible benefit to the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne regions," he said.
Mr Brannigan said the company had already been canvassing organisations for ways it could assist.
"This week we were able to assist Orange Health Service in purchasing specialised face masks for its front line doctors to provide additional protection against the virus.
"This is the first of many opportunities where we will be able to assist.
"Our community has never faced a situation like this one and there is a great need to provide adequate support for our local people during these exceptional circumstances," he said.
The Cadia Valley Operations website contains more information on how the Newcrest Community Support Fund can be accessed.
Health screening has already been introduced across two checkpoints to ensure the virus is not spread among workers, with non-essential visitors not allowed on site, and all non-essential staff now working remotely.
Recognising that the development of a vaccine for novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) could save many lives worldwide, a portion of the Fund will also go towards vaccine research.
Newcrest will continue to work with its partners, host governments and communities to prioritise and deliver programmes under the Fund in the most effective manner.
NEWCREST’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Newcrest continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and the potential impacts of it on the company’s operations and activities.
At this point in time Newcrest has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any of its operations or projects, with all mines continuing to operate and there being no change to the Company’s guidance for FY20. The limitations on the movement of people interstate and internationally is being managed effectively at this point in time.
Newcrest has implemented a range of COVID-19 control measures across all operations and projects to minimise the risk of infection to its workforce, their families and surrounding communities, moving early to restrict international travel and introduce health screening and social distancing procedures at all sites.
Controls continue to develop in response to the pandemic, however the following have been implemented already:
Passenger screening and health checks for all FIFO employees, contractors and visitors travelling to Newcrest operations;
Implementing physical distancing requirements in transport arrangements, camp dining rooms, site staff meetings and other gatherings;
A review of the cleaning protocols for each site to enable an elevated level of cleaning in common and private areas, including in relation to equipment and the mining fleet;
Provision of special leave arrangements for employees directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19;
Requiring all personnel who are not required to be on a site to work from home;
Self-quarantine requirements for those who travelled internationally for business or personal purposes in the past 14 days, and travellers who have been in contact with a person diagnosed with or suspected of having the COVID-19;
Identifying those in the workforce who may be immunocompromised, or undergoing any medical treatment that may make them more susceptible to contracting COVID-19, and encouraging them not to come to work;
Regular engagement with local communities on site practices in relation to COVID-19;
Actively engaging with all key suppliers to enable continuity of supply of goods and services, including identifying alternative sources should the supply chain be disrupted;
Actively engaging with customers and refineries on their situation and whether there has been no reduction in demand for, or the ability to receive and process doré; and
A communications and education programme to the workforce at all sites, highlighting safe and hygienic practices to minimise the spread of infection at work and home.
AUSTRALIAN OPERATIONS
Cadia, New South Wales
Cadia is primarily a residential workforce and otherwise largely draws on resources from within the State of New South Wales. At this point in time, the transportation of concentrate from Blayney to Port Kembla remains open.
Telfer and Havieron, Western Australia
All interstate FIFO has been suspended for the time being. Rosters are being altered to minimise travel and interaction between work groups to minimise the chance of transmission of COVID-19.
Newcrest recognises its responsibility to help protect people in the remote and regional communities around Telfer, therefore as of 17 March 2020 all drive-in, drive-out activities and face-to-face engagement with the Martu people was suspended to minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19 to their communities.
Newcrest will continue to provide practical support for their management of this crisis, and in conjunction with the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation are working with the Martu to identify and support relevant programmes.
Newcrest is also working with the WA Country Health Service as the lead agency for the COVID-19 emergency response in the Pilbara.
Further, as a member of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy in WA, Newcrest is one of 20 companies to donate a total of $6.6 million to Foodbank, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and Lifeline.
Read more in Newcrest’s media statement.
Find out how Australia’s gold industry is protecting its workers, their families and the wider public during the COVID-19 pandemic.