MINING giant Glencore has dug deep into its pockets to lend financial assistance to three organisations, which have played a vital role during the recent bushfire crisis.
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In response to the spate of fires throughout the state, the company - which owns Bulga Coal, Hunter Valley Operations, Integra, Liddell, Mangoola, Mount Owen and Ravensworth sites in the Upper Hunter - will donate a total of $1 million to BlazeAid, Aussie Ark and the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS).
The trio of groups have overseen several aspects of bushfire preparation, response and recovery in the past month or two.
Glencore will give $500,000 to BlazeAid, and $250,000 each to Aussie Ark and the NSW RFS.
Coal Assets Australia chief operating officer Ian Cribb said the workforce had been "deeply saddened to see the destruction caused by the current bushfires and the catastrophic impacts on many families, communities and wildlife across the country".
"We've decided to contribute $500,000 to BlazeAid, a volunteer-based organisation that provides support to rural families and individuals after natural disasters," he explained.
"BlazeAid is entirely funded by donations and our contribution will help pay for fencing tools and equipment, safety gear for volunteers, general day-to-day running costs and tool maintenance.
"We're also providing $250,000 to Aussie Ark.
"Glencore has a long-standing partnership with Aussie Ark, which aims to create a long-term future for multiple native, endangered Australian mammals like the Tasmanian devil, brush-tailed rock wallaby and eastern quoll.
"Aussie Ark will use our funding to relocate wildlife impacted by bushfires and to provide veterinary services to animals that are suffering.
"Its staff is currently assessing wildlife populations and, in recent days, have relocated a number of platypus, koalas, Hastings River turtles and brush-tailed rock wallabies, all threatened species.
"On top of that, we're donating $250,000 to the NSW RFS in the Hunter Valley and Mid-Western Region to help enhance their ability to prepare for, and respond to, bushfires.
"The NSW RFS is a volunteer-based firefighting agency that has been active for more than 100 years and is the lead combat agency for bushfires.
"Our previous donations to the NSW RFS have funded fire reconnaissance and remote area firefighting motor bikes, an upgrade to fire depot facilities and electronic fire warning signage on public roads.
"We hope this [donations] helps all three organisations, who do a wonderful job in extremely trying times."
