Anglo American and Komatsu’s Growing Together mine rehabilitation partnership has been expanded with new tree planting days that will see 14,000 trees planted at and around the Dawson coal mine in Central Queensland.
The mine rehabilitation partnership, with the support of non-profit organisations Green Forests Work (GFW) and Arbor Day, aims to rehabilitate land by re-establishing native plant species in the area.
Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal business chief executive officer, Tyler Mitchelson, said the partnership was helping to embed sustainability practices within the companies and broader Central Queensland community.
“Anglo American’s global Sustainable Mining Plan contains ambitious sustainability targets to help transform our business, including a commitment to being carbon neutral across our operations by 2040,” Mitchelson said.
“It guides us in not only minimising the impact of our mining operations, but also in seeking to deliver positive and lasting environmental outcomes.”
Last week at a community planting day at the Dawson Mine Viewing Platform, 1000 native trees were planted by students from Moura and Banana State Schools, Traditional Owners from Gangulu Nation, local community members and Anglo American, Komatsu and Mitsui employees.
“Being able to collaborate with our industry partners, Traditional Owners, local school students and community members is a powerful way to increase the impact of our partnership, and achieve improved sustainability outcomes locally,” Mitchelson said.
In addition to the trees planted this week and 4000 trees that were planted at Dawson North in March 2020, the partnership includes plans for more trees to be planted at the newly-constructed Kianga Creek Diversion near Moura.
“The partnership is a continuation of Komatsu’s Growing Forward signature environmental initiative, the reforestation of formerly mined lands, which was launched on Earth Day 2019 to advance the company’s commitment to a sustainable future for all,” Komatsu Australia CEO and managing director Sean Taylor said.
“Now more than any other time in our company’s history, our efforts must be increasingly sustainable to ensure we uphold our commitments to society.
“As part of our 100th Anniversary, Komatsu has set a vision of achieving carbon neutrality, & virtually zero carbon emissions, by 2050.”
The partnership continues Komatsu’s existing reforestation efforts with GFW, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting proper mine reclamation methods and the restoration of natural habitats, including national forests.