Wonderful turn out for Whitehaven Coal Community Open Day 

Whitehaven Coal’s (ASX: WHC) annual Community Open Day gave about 1500 residents from across the Boggabri, NSW, region a behind the scenes look at their local mining industry. 

Whitehaven Coal’s managing director and chief executive Paul Flynn attended the event and said it was a fantastic opportunity to say thank you to residents, local businesses and the broader community who continue to support Whitehaven and its operations in the region. 

“Our Community Open Day is one of the most important days on our calendar and I know it’s one that our people and members of the community look forward to every year,” he said. 

“It’s an opportunity for Whitehaven to bring everyone together for a fun family day out while giving back to the community. 

“We’re incredibly proud to be a part of this community and we recognise the significant role we have to play as the largest employer in the region to support locals and local businesses. 

“We’re especially proud that 75% of our workforce live in the towns around our operational footprint in the Gunnedah Basin — it’s great to be able to share today with them and their families and friends.” 

The guided bus tours of the Maules Creek mine were particularly popular once again, with the community gaining insight into working coal mine operations.  

Attendees at the showground were also shown Whitehaven’s mining processes, with a number of employees on hand to talk about different aspects of the operations and a range of machinery on display such as haulage trucks and excavator buckets. 

Whitehaven marked the occasion with a special presentation to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. 

“We were delighted to present the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service with a contribution of $50,000 to support the organisation as it continues to provide an essential service to the community,” said Mr Flynn. 

Whitehaven’s contribution to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service adds to the more than $1.7m the company and its employees have donated since the Tamworth service was established in 2000. 

“We believe the benefits of our operations should be seen and felt locally — last year alone we spent over $660m here in north west NSW via salaries and wages, local businesses and suppliers, and community investment,” said Mr Flynn. 

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the local community for decades to come.”