Coal & Allied works with Aboriginal communities around its operations by working to the company's statement on business practices, The Way We Work. (links to The Way We Work)

This statement provides a framework for managing Aboriginal cultural heritage values and native title,  and guidelines for relationship development and interaction with the Aboriginal Community of Interest. In addition, as part of our broader community relations approach, Coal & Allied is continuing to work with Aboriginal groups to address their key issues and concerns, particularly in the areas of education, training, employment and business development.

Our approach

Coal & Allied's core Aboriginal Relations objective is to obtain and maintain cost effective legal access to land as well as a social licence to operate. We aim to do this by building constructive relationships with Aboriginal communities who have interests in land on which our operations are located or proposed. This is achieved by:

• Negotiating Aboriginal Community Agreements
• Implementing our Aboriginal community development programmes across the business
• Protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage values

Coal & Allied is working with Aboriginal groups to address their key issues and concerns, particularly in the areas of education, training, employment and business development.

Coal & Allied have developed a business wide Cross-Cultural Awareness Programme for employees and contractors, which aims to:

• provide employees with a greater understanding of our approach
• develop a greater appreciation for, and awareness of, Aboriginal culture and history
• provide leaders within the business with skills to assist in working with Aboriginal people.

Read about Rio Tinto Coal Australia's approach to aboriginal relations. 

Aboriginal Development Consultative Committee

In 2006 the Coal & Allied Aboriginal Development Consultative Committee (ADCC) was launched to assist Aboriginal people living in the Upper Hunter Valley to achieve their 'Vision for the Future'. The 'vision' aims to achieve improved access and outcomes for Aboriginal people in education, training, employment and economic participation.

In order to achieve these aims, the ADCC provides funding across a broad range of areas. At its first meeting in November 2006, it approved $203,000 for projects that will create employment and training opportunities, deliver educational programmes, assist in the establishment of new Aboriginal businesses and foster Aboriginal artists and culture in the Upper Hunter Valley.

The committee meets up to six times per year and applications may be submitted at any time. Meeting dates are advertised regularly in all Upper Hunter newspapers.

For more information or to obtain copies of the Guidelines and application form, contact Cate Sims, Executive Officer on 02 6570 0360.