The Xstrata Coal program is structured around six key areas: arts and culture; education, enterprise and job creation; environment; health; and social and community.

 

The six areas reflect the company’s commitment to support initiatives that benefit the communities where the company has operations and employees.

 

Among the ten partners Xstrata Coal identified are the University of NSW and the University of Queensland.

 

The School of Mining Engineering at UNSW received $130,000 for its UNSW Co-op Program, a scholarship program set up by mining industry and UNSW to provide industry training for selected undergraduate students in the disciplines of commerce, science and engineering.

 

Xstrata Coal has been a strong supporter of the university’s mining engineering program since 2002, sponsoring seven scholarships in the past four years.

 

"The School of Mining Engineering at UNSW greatly appreciates the generous contribution by Xstrata Coal in 2005. These funds will provide valuable student scholarships; in addition to assisting with marketing of our Mining Program and recruitment initiatives among high school students," said Professor Bruce Hebblewhite, head of mining engineering school and research director.

 

The Division of Mining and Minerals Process Engineering at the University of Queensland received $130,000 to fund six mining engineering scholarships and four mechanical/electrical scholarships.

 

“The contribution by Xstrata Coal to the mining and minerals processing programs is gratefully acknowledged,” Dr Dominic Howarth said. “The funds will be used for undergraduate teaching activities and the support of disadvantaged students through a scholarship scheme.”

 

Xstrata Coal chief executive Peter Coates said the company had focused on identifying areas of need in the communities where its employees lived and worked, reflecting an inherent belief that company operations should deliver benefits to the relevant communities, both in the short- and long-term.

 

“We are committed to ensuring a sustainable future for our people and communities and have selected partners who can help us fulfill this commitment. We have received an overwhelmingly positive response from these partners and we look forward to working with them to the benefit of our communities,” he said.

 

Xstrata sets aside 1% of its pre-tax profit to fund social involvement, primarily to support communities associated with its operations across the world. In 2004, Xstrata spent $13.8 million on “corporate social involvement”, $2.2 million of that money spent by Xstrata Coal in Australia and South Africa.