Bloomfield’s focus on navigating the challenges of COVID-19 continued through 2021, with the launch of the Spend With Local Small Businesses Initiative. Every employee that confirmed that they were fully vaccinated received a $250 gift card to be spent with local small businesses. The initiative helped protect the workforce and the community against the risks of COVID-19, while injecting over $100,000 back into the local community.
Bloomfield’s operations were recognised for environmental and safety excellence.
In October, Bloomfield Mine reached five year Lost Time Injury Free. It was an amazing achievement by the Bloomfield Mine crew.
Rix’s Creek Mine was highly commended in the Environmental Excellence category of the NSW Minerals Council Health, Safety, Environment and Community Awards for its Noise Management Program. Also, a program focusing on improving mental health (MY Mindset), was confirmed as a finalist in the Health Excellence category.
New and more energy efficient fleet and machinery made its way across the Group’s mining and engineering operations with the introduction of a new earthmoving truck fleet and hybrid on-road vehicles.
Bloomfield has proudly supported the Hunter community for over 80 years, and 2021 was no different.
Its support of the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre continued, with Bloomfield funding the Project Officer who runs the Centre’s Open Door program for another year.
Bloomfield’s support for Youth Off the Streets (YOTS) now extends well over a decade. This year, underpinned by Bloomfield, YOTS expanded its footprint into the Upper Hunter community, and established a weekly Engagement and Support program at Singleton Heights Sports Centre.
Support for Lifeline also continued, with a recent donation to assist local Lifeline provide free telehealth video counselling, and crisis support via the Lifeline hotline (13 11 14).
And in a new initiative, Bloomfield is supporting the DRIVE program being run by Singleton Police Citizens Youth Club. The DRIVE program trains driving mentors who then help local young people get the supervised learner hours that they need to achieve their drivers licence. Some young people experience barriers to getting their licence including access to a car, and the lack of suitable supervisor drivers. This free program at PCYC helps to remove these barriers for local youth.