Miners urged to chip into already huge fund for ‘legacy projects’ across WA, sector stalwart appointed chair

Article by Rebecca Le May courtesy of the West Australian.

Giants in mining and oil and gas have kicked off a huge community fund for “legacy projects” around the State, and now have a process to nominate which development they want to put their name to.

The Resources Community Investment Initiative launched in November has already had $750 million committed by the sector’s biggest companies: Rio Tinto, BHP, Woodside, Chevron, Mineral Resources, Hancock Prospecting and its subsidiaries Roy Hill and Atlas Iron.

On Thursday, the State Government launched an expression of interest process for companies to identify projects they wish to contribute to and also announced former Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA chief executive Reg Howard-Smith had been appointed inaugural chair of the fund’s advisory committee.

The initial project pipeline includes the new Aboriginal Cultural Centre, major redevelopments of Perth Zoo and Perth Concert Hall, expansion of Ronald McDonald House and additional contributions to Telethon.

Premier Mark McGowan said the initiative built on the State’s ongoing collaboration with the sector and provided a mechanism to partner on projects with lasting benefits for generations of West Australians.

“The expression of interest process launched today gets the ball rolling on negotiations with the sector to match contributions to the iconic RCII projects as well as projects that will provide long-term social and economic benefits in the communities that resources companies operate,” he said.

“I am confident that other WA resources companies will join this worthwhile initiative.”

After the expression of interest process closes on July 31, more contributions will be revealed.