MMG Century and its suppliers donate more than $30,000 to Royal Flying Doctor Service

MMG’s Century mine and 17 of its suppliers donated more than $30,000 to the Queensland section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service at an event in Cairns on Tuesday 1 March.

The money was raised as part of Century’s 2010 GM Charity initiative, a program that sees the mine’s General Manager select a charity or community organisation to be the focus of a series of fundraising initiatives.

Century General Manager Karl Spaleck, who hosted a small event to thank suppliers for their contribution said that the RFDS was an obvious organisation for the mine to support.

“With our operations located in north-west Queensland, we understand the important services that the RFDS provides to people in remote areas.

“Quite simply, the RFDS is a lifeline in times of illness to many people within Queensland’s Gulf communities. At Century, we too have also relied on these services to assist unwell employees and contractors on many occasions since the mine began.”

Mr Spaleck said that he had been humbled by the generosity of the suppliers, employees and contractors who had donated to the cause.

“Our employees, contractors and suppliers have a long history of supporting charities and community organisations, and this generosity was once again demonstrated by their willingness to contribute to this initiative.

“Seventeen of our suppliers – Otraco, Atlas Copco, TDC, Chubb Security, ABAC, Paramount Hire, Leibherr, Cummins, BP, Coopers Fluids, Bradkens, Hasting Deering, Dawsons Engineering, Driveway Training, Komatsu, CFS and the Shangri
La Hotel – have jointly contributed $20,500.

“Our employees and contractors also raised almost $4,000, with the mine donating an additional $6,000. This brings the total raised so far to about $30,000.”

RFDS Queensland section General Manager of Marketing and Fundraising Russell Ousley said the donation would help the RFDS continue to play its part in taking care of the mining workforce.

 “The RFDS is grateful to Century mine for its support and willingness to involve suppliers to help maximise the donation.

“The challenges of living and working in rural and remote regions are significant. No one understands this more than the mining industry. For more than 80 years the RFDS has been there helping industries like mining to grow and bring prosperity to the nation. And we can only do this thanks to continued support like this.”

Further funds are expected to be raised through the sale of a commemorative polo shirt.