Whitehaven Coal has launched an Indigenous design for its truck tray and hi-vis personal protective equipment during an event at its Maules Creek mine.
The tray and PPE feature Emu prints designed by local Aboriginal artist, Ronny Long, who has strong cultural ties to the region. The design includes a message in Gomeroi language, reading ‘Maaru Yunawaaya’, which translates to ‘go well, be safe’.
“I am so proud that Aboriginal people and culture are being represented at Whitehaven,” Long said.
“It’s been eight years since I created this artwork and it’s fantastic to see it living on permanently through the truck and PPE design.”
Aboriginal and Torress Strait Islanders make up 11.8 per cent of Whitehaven’s workforce. The truck and PPE designs are part of Whitehaven’s third reconciliation action plan, aimed at strengthening the companies ties with Indigenous Australians.
“The launch of these two initiatives is a significant milestone for Whitehaven and it reflects our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and recognising the significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to our business,” Whitehaven executive general manager of operations Ian Humphris said.
“We’re proud to be playing a role in supporting Indigenous people in our community, whether it be through employment, procurement, education or health and wellbeing.”
The company also saw success in its June quarter with a 19 per cent increase in coal production on the previous quarter. This brings Whitehaven’s financial year production to 18.2 million tonnes, comfortably within guidance.
Whitehaven generated $4.2 billion in cash for the financial year, and held a net cash position of $2.65 billion at the end of June.