Like most Australians we are incredibly proud of the contribution farmers and their families make to our country. We also recognise people in rural communities are doing it tough this year because of the drought.

Glencore's coal business has around 5,800 employees working across NSW and Qld. On behalf of each coal employee we will be providing a $300 IGA gift voucher for groceries to 5,800 farming families affected by the drought.

As each of our coal employees celebrate Christmas with their families, this A$1.7M for gift vouchers will allow rural families to celebrate with their own family. Ian Cribb, Chief Operating Officer for Glencore's Australian coal business said that he hoped this gift in some small way helped farmers and their families have a more enjoyable Christmas.

Glencore has been pleased to work in partnership with IGA and RuralAid, one of Australia's largest rural assistance organisations.

Wayne Thomson, Rural Aid National Business Development Manager, said the gift from Glencore would bring some welcome Christmas cheer to a number of families in rural and regional areas.

"Many of us can find it difficult to comprehend the extent of the drought," Mr Thomson said. "The realities of the harsh Australian conditions and natural disasters are devastating for our farmers and rural communities on many levels. The IGA gift vouchers, being mailed to farmers, will allow them to shop within their local communities, bringing a much needed financial injection into their local economy."