PROJECTS

Biodiversity good practice and offsets

Swamp forest along the shores of Lake St LuciaCurrently, there is a lack of recognition that the major threat to biodiversity depletion in developing countries is poverty, and that economic development stimulated by mining can potentially reduce these pressures and make a positive contribution.

It is crucial for ICMM members to keep improving their performance in this area, and also to take a role in educating governments and the public about the positive role that the mining and metals industry can play in biodiversity conservation.

What is ICMM doing?

ICMM worked closely with IUCN -The World Conservation Union- in 2006 to publish Good Practice Guidance for Mining and Biodiversity; a guidance document for mine staff (and generally applicable in other industries too) on how to manage and conserve biodiversity.

Previously, ICMM had published two discussion papers on biodiversity offsets in 2005. Offsets, which may be used to preserve and ensure access to sites and finance, do offer a solution to the potential problems of new land access, but only after impacts have been avoided or mitigated as far as possible.

Our current focus is on raising awareness and application of the Good Practice Guidance for Mining and Biodiversity publication. We are organising workshops and side events with IUCN and others to obtain input on the good practice guidance and stimulate debates on offsets.

What will our work achieve?

Demonstrating a commitment to biodiversity conservation is an essential element of sustainable development in the mining and metals industry. Developing biodiversity conservation tools assists our members’ commitment to this issue.


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PROJECT DETAILS

The major threat to biodiversity depletion in developing countries is poverty - economic development stimulated by mining can potentially reduce these pressures and make a positive contribution.

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RELATED PUBLICATIONS

Good Practice Guidance for Mining and Biodiversity
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
Principle 07:

Contribute to conservation of biodiversity and integrated approaches to land use planning

Principle 06:

Seek continual improvement of our environmental performance

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