Sustainability
Sustainability Report
Our Vision
To responsibly mine and manufacture Australian critical minerals to power the global energy transition and drive technological innovation. We aim to create shared value for all parties through respectful and constructive engagement with our stakeholders.
Environment
Minimising Environmental Impacts
SRA is committed to operating in a manner that will respect, protect, and preserve the exceptional biodiversity and natural ecosystems of the Cassowary Coast Region for future generations.
The Mourilyan Silica Sands Project has been strategically designed to minimise, and where possible, eliminate environmental impacts associated with mining and processing.
This includes:
- Protecting biodiversity – There will be no mining within Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Matters of State Environmental Significance.
- Minimal land disturbance – The majority of the mining activity will occur on land that has previously been cleared for agricultural use. This land is not ecologically sensitive and does not host critical habitats for threatened species, such as the cassowary.
- Buffer zones – Protective buffer zones and setbacks will be established between mining operations and any protected areas and waterways.
- No explosives – Material will be extracted using conventional equipment from a shallow pit without the use of explosives or underground mining.
- No hazardous materials – The silica sands will be processed using mechanical separation methods that do not require or generate hazardous materials or chemicals.
- Water recycling – Water will be recycled to the maximum extent possible within our operations to minimize freshwater usage.
- No tailings storage – No mine tailings will need to be stored on site and no tailings dam will be required. Waste byproducts will be filtered using innovative geotube technology to recover water and the material will be trucked offsite to be used in industrial applications.
Communities
Stakeholders
With a projected mine life of 50+ years, the Mourilyan Silica Sands Project presents a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the long-term development of the Cassowary Coast Region. SRA has been working in close partnership with local and regional stakeholders so that together we can co-create a thriving hub that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable within the heart of Far North Queensland.
Our relationships with stakeholders are central to the work that we do. This includes a broad range of groups with various interests including traditional owners and local Indigenous communities; neighbouring landowners; local communities in Innisfail, Mourilyan and along the Cassowary Coast; the local sugar industry, regional, state and federal government departments; elected government representatives; industry cooperation groups; civil society; conservation organisations; academic institutions; employees, contractors, and suppliers; and shareholders and investors.
Our guiding principles for stakeholder engagement are:
- Respect – To be a good neighbour by minimising impacts to local communities wherever we can and treating all stakeholders with respect.
- Communication – Engaging in early, proactive communication with stakeholders to avoid surprises, address questions, and resolve any potential issues before they arise.
- Authenticity – Valuing and striving for authentic and genuine connections with local and regional stakeholders by taking the time to really listen and understand different perspectives and needs.
- Cooperation – Working together with stakeholder groups to help each other to build capacity, address challenges, and achieve our mutual goals and objectives.
We envision the Mourilyan Silica Sands Project as a vehicle to support the local community; contribute to the economic development of the region; progress First Nations engagement and gender equality in the mining sector; and provide long-term, stable and enriching opportunities for individuals to work and live in Far North Queensland.
Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
As per our Australian Indigenous Reconciliation Statement, our vision is for a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are fully valued across Australian society and existing social inequalities are eradicated.
SRA acknowledges that the Mamu People are the Traditional Owners of the land on which the project is situated. Through early, respectful and constructive engagement, we have made commitments to ensure that the project will benefit the Mamu People in a tangible and sustainable manner and play a constructive role in supporting the long-term success of Mamu communities. These commitments include plans to ensure economic participation, employment and contracting opportunities, and capacity building for the Mamu People.
Stakeholder Grievance Policy
This Policy outlines and formalises the Grievance Process for the Company and its stakeholders and provides an avenue for stakeholders to voice their concerns and offers transparency on how Grievances will be managed internally, with an aim to minimise conflict, avoid unnecessary escalation of issues and strengthen relationships between External Stakeholders.
Governance
Corporate Values
SRA’s Board of Directors bring to the Company a wealth of experience in funding, developing, and operating natural resource projects in Australia and around the world. The SRA Board Charter outlines the overarching roles and responsibilities of the Board and the way in which the Board and Management interact.
Maintaining the highest ethical standards in all our business activities is of the utmost importance to SRA. We promote an ethical corporate culture that encourages all employees, management, and Board members to interact with each other and all our stakeholders with fairness, honesty and integrity at all times. Our Whistleblower Policy provides guidance on the reporting of any instances of suspected unethical, illegal, corrupt, fraudulent, or undesirable conduct involving SRA’s business and provides protections and measures to any individual who makes such a disclosure without fear of reprisal.
SRA’s ethics are reflected in our corporate values:
- Safety – We put safety first, before anything else.
- Teamwork – We work as one team. We treat each other with dignity and respect.
- Driven by Quality – We gain satisfaction and pride from the quality of our work.
- Sustainability – We embrace sustainability for our business, our operations and our environment.
Human Rights
SRA complies with all applicable local laws and regulations and respects internationally declared human rights. Our Human Rights Statement outlines the measures we will take to prevent human rights abuses through our business activities. These include:
- Zero tolerance for forced, involuntary, or child labour in our operations and our supply chain.
- Complying with the Workplace Relations Act and other relevant employment laws, as well as drawing on internationally recognised labour principles in how we conduct our business.
- Protecting the health and safety of our employees.
- Ensuring that our work with other parties will not contribute to human rights violations.
SRA does not tolerate any form of unlawful discrimination, harassment, vilification or victimisation from or towards any employee, contractor or visitor to the workplace.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
SRA strongly believes that fostering a culture that values and strives for diversity, equity and inclusion across all levels and functions of the organisation is fundamentally good business. As we grow over the next few years, our aim is to build a strong, diverse, professional and empowered workforce that authentically represents the community we serve, in accordance with our Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement.
By creating an environment where every member of our team feels valued and safe, we will be able to truly learn from each other and benefit from the unique skills, ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds that each individual brings. We recognise that differences in cultural backgrounds, race, ethnicity, disability, age, gender identity and sexual orientation will make us stronger and more innovative as the company grows.
Silica Resources Australia Limited
ACN: 655 231 066
PO Box 100
Innisfail QLD 4860
P: 1800 1 SILICA (174 542)
E: info@silicaresources.com.au