Supporting our local communities

We support our local communities through the employment and economic activity generated by our operations. We also provide funding and in-kind support for local development programs and provide direct sponsorships. Our employees also contribute through volunteer activities.

Under refreshed sponsorship and community partnership guidelines for 2005, WMC is focusing its support on organisations and initiatives from the following categories: health and lifestyle, environmental sustainability and education and youth activities.

These categories have been chosen as supporting programs can directly benefit the communities/or ecosystems near WMC operations.

WMC's new Community Service Leave policy allows employees to apply for up to two days' paid leave a year to perform volunteer work in their local communities.

The Community Service Leave policy is designed to help WMC and its employees to contribute directly to the communities we operate and live in. Many staff already give generously of their time - this policy allows WMC to acknowledge the enormous volunteer efforts our people make each year.

Economic support to communities

Through our ‘Local Community/Indigenous Peoples’ contracting procedure, our project and contract managers can direct tenders for goods and services to local suppliers and companies. Tenderers of large contracts are also encouraged to subcontract to local companies and suppliers, especially those providing employment to Indigenous employee.

We also plan to undertake work to better understand the economic benefit we provide to local and regional communities.

• Read about the 2004 Community Support progress and performance.