OZ Minerals received 127 complaints from local communities during the reporting period, including 57 at Martabe, 42 at Sepon, 14 at Prominent Hill, 8 at Rosebery, 5 at Century and 1 at Canada operations. A breakdown of these grievances by category is provided below.

OZ Minerals classifies significant incidents as those that have or have the potential to have a major impact on local communities and/or the reputation of the company. During the reporting period four significant community relations incidents occurred at OZ Minerals operations, including two at Rosebery and two at Sepon.

In September 2008 our Rosebery operation was approached by local residents in relation to water seepage on their residential property. The operation immediately responded and an inspection of the area revealed that the seepage was localised and unlikely to be contributed to by any of the Rosebery mining operations. Rather the issue appeared to be the consequence of either natural seepage or overflow from local drainage or the water service network.

Rosebery undertook to work with the residents and arranged for independent tests to be taken on the water. These tests showed elevated levels of some heavy metals although it was concluded that it was not attributable to the mining operations.

A meeting was convened between Rosebery, EPA, DHHS and the WCC to discuss issues, responsibilities and future actions.

An independent toxicologist was engaged by the DHHS to set up a team to investigate health concerns raised by the residents. Public advice from the Directors of EPA and Public Health concluded that “the investigation does not support the belief that the residents’ health problems are related to exposure to heavy metals in the environment”….”none of the soil, dust, water or air samples taken indicated a significant risk of toxic exposure”. Furthermore, “as a consequence the report recommends that further environmental sampling is not warranted and that further biological monitoring will not be helpful in resolving the exposure question”.

In August 2007 Rosebery Mine experienced an environmental incident where storm water overflow resulted in lead concentrate being washed through a property in the adjacent Howard Street. At the time a remediation program was undertaken, including relocating the family, to clean the property and blood lead tests were given to the family (including their young children). These results initially indicated slightly elevated levels of lead-in-blood in the two children. Subsequent tests confirmed the persistence of elevated levels and, on the basis of this, Rosebery operation began to explore the potential of a more widespread issue.

In late February test results for two children from the house in Howard Street which was originally contaminated blood indicated increased levels of lead-in-blood. On the strength of these results the family was immediately relocated from the residence into a furnished property while industrial cleaning of clothing, personal belongings, furniture and linen.

Ongoing support to monitor the two Howard Street children with elevated blood levels will continue. A further community lead-in-blood testing program was undertaken in August 2008 with a follow up program scheduled for March 2009.

At our Sepon operation, two separate incidents of armed theft of diesel occurred during 2008. Both incidents involved community members stealing fuel from remote exploration drill rigs. Fuel stored in larger containers on remote operations to limit theft risk. Risk assessment undertaken on remote site work - armed guards secured for sites where deemed appropriate in risk assessment. Ongoing consultation by Sepon Security and Community Relations with local village authorities and police force regarding security issues.