Mining with principles by restoring degraded areas of the Carajás National Forest in Brazil

Biodiversity is adversely affected by climate change, with damage to ecosystems and loss of species leading to negative knock on consequences for human well-being. Loss of biodiversity also reduces the world’s natural ability to absorb carbon emissions and regulate climate.

ICMM’s Mining Principles commit members to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, as well as a low carbon future. One way that companies can address their impacts on biodiversity, where it cannot be avoided or reduced, is through ecosystem restoration.

ICMM member Vale is restoring degraded areas of the Carajás National Forest and its surrounding areas in Brazil to re-establish connections between fragments and protect the home of endangered species. It is planting more than 500,000 seedlings to expand the native vegetation, creating new micro-habitats for wildlife and increasing the diversity of species. In addition to the almost 1 million hectares of forest that Vale helps to maintain worldwide, it has also committed to the long-term protection of a further 400,000 hectares and restoring 100,000 hectares of forests outside of the boundaries of its sites by 2030. This goes beyond avoiding and reducing impacts, contributing to the long-term sustainability of local ecosystems.