U.S. Mining Responds: How Our Members Are Supporting Communities

What You Need to Know:

• Members of the National Mining Association are aiding in COVID-19 relief efforts to support communities across the country.
• Mining companies are providing financial assistance, educational tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) to those in need.

Letter From The President and CEO:

Within the past few weeks, the National Mining Association has witnessed sweeping efforts from our membership, with companies supporting relief efforts across the country to aid communities and help fight COVID-19.

As mining operations continue to serve our nation – providing the raw materials that are the front end of our healthcare, manufacturing and national security supply chains – we strive to balance our responsibility as an essential industry with our duty to protect those who tirelessly serve. Companies still producing critical minerals during this time have implemented strict guidelines to ensure the wellbeing of their workforce and the greater public safety.

Our industry is not only following government guidelines – with distancing measures being taken, increased cleaning schedules in-place, and limits on gatherings of groups, but companies are going further to fit their unique circumstances. Whether it’s limiting the number of people in elevators and marking proper distance spacing in the workplace, staggering shifts to limit contacts or providing hands-free check-in/check-out systems, each company is adjusting to safeguard our most valuable asset: our people.

We also recognize there has never been a more important time to rally together and support our neighbors, businesses and organizations in need. Below are examples of the many efforts our member companies are engaged in as our entire industry galvanizes to join the fight.

Caterpillar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Caterpillar Inc., announced it is committing $8.5 million to support global communities, including underserved populations, who are affected by the virus. The Foundation’s investment will support nonprofit organizations who are working to help prevent, detect and respond to the pandemic; provide resources to hospitals, medical staff and patients; address food insecurity; and enable online STEM and coding education for youth impacted by school closures. Click here for more.

Coeur Mining is supporting communities from the U.S. to Mexico by assisting those on the frontline fighting the COVID-19 virus and caring for those impacted by it. Its efforts, to highlight just a few, include donating hand sanitizer, masks and gloves to hospitals and non-profits; supporting the construction of a drive-through COVID-19 testing center; providing food for families and individuals who are in need; matching employee contributions to Project C.U.R.E., an organization providing support to front-line workers; and donating to shelters and food banks in its communities. Learn more.

Hecla Mining Company’s charitable foundation has contributed more than $3.4 million to communities since its establishment in 2007. Given the special needs arising from the pandemic, Hecla expects the foundation to initially contribute up to $125,000 more than usual. An initial $20,000 matching contribution has been made to the Southeast Alaska food bank. Read more here.

Midas Gold launched Hayley’s STEAM Power Hour to help parents and kids with lesson plans while they are working and schooling from home. A new lesson plan is posted on their Facebook page every afternoon. Find more here.

Nevada Gold Mines, a joint venture between Barrick and Newmont Corporation, has committed an initial $1.5 million to the Nevada Covid-19 Response, Relief and Recovery Task Force to identify immediate needs and provide financial and logistical support to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its local communities. Learn more here.

Newmont Corporation has established a $20 million fund to help communities, governments and employees combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The Newmont Global Community Support Fund builds upon other local contributions and efforts the Company has implemented over the last month. Newmont will partner with local governments, medical institutions, charities and non-governmental organizations to target funds towards addressing the greatest needs with a view to serving as a catalyst for long-term resiliency and future community development. Learn more here.

Peabody believes that not only its products, but its people, are key to a better business and a better society. In line with this belief, the company is actively supporting the communities in which it works and has donated personal protective equipment to local healthcare providers. Learn more here about the company’s overall sustainability efforts.

Rio Tinto is supporting impacted communities in the U.S. and around the world. Read more here about just one of the company’s many efforts: a donation of safety masks and glasses to those on the front lines of efforts to combat this epidemic.

Twin Metals Minnesota is supporting local organizations and nonprofits to aid with COVID-19 relief efforts. Contributions have included: $10,000 to United Way of Northeast Minnesota; $5,000 to the Ely Food Shelf; $1,500 to Ruby’s Pantry in Babbitt to distribute food gift cards; and $5,000 to the Babbitt Ambulance to help fund critical items that are needed and in anticipation of increased calls. Learn more here about Twin Metals’ community involvement.

By offering financial assistance, educational tools and PPE, these companies offer just a few examples of how the minerals mining industry is committed to addressing some of the greatest challenges of our time. More information about mining’s efforts is available on NMA’s website.

To all of the organizations helping to fight this global crisis, America’s mineral miners are with you.

Thank you,
Rich Nolan