Sustainability / Environment / Biodiversity

Biodiversity

We develop and implement scientifically sound technologies and procedures for the effective management and conservation of biodiversity and landscape functions in the areas affected by our operations.

Approach

Xstrata operates in a wide variety of environments with varying degrees of ecological sensitivity. Some operations are located in biodiversity-rich areas that contain endemic and threatened species. We aim to avoid net losses or degradation of natural habitats, biodiversity and landscape functions such as watershed and microclimate management. We are also committed to rehabilitating and restoring landscapes once our mining and exploration activities have ceased.

None of our managed operations’ leases are within protected areas but 28 of our sites are adjacent to protected areas or located in or adjacent to biodiversity-rich areas. As a member of the International Council on Mining and Metals, we do not explore or mine in World Heritage listed sites. No Xstrata operations are located adjacent to World Heritage designated areas.

Conservation plans and activities

All Xstrata-managed operations must implement a biodiversity conservation plan. We aim for acquired operations to introduce plans within two years of acquisition.

Before beginning to operate in a new area or making major changes to existing operations, we conduct baseline surveys to identify and record the existing biodiversity of the site and determine whether any threatened species (including species listed on the IUCN Red List) or vulnerable ecosystems are present. We perform environmental impact assessments to identify potential impacts on the site’s biodiversity and landscape functions. We conduct biodiversity assessments as soon as practicable at acquired operations.

We monitor biodiversity throughout the lifecycle of an operation, to identify any impact on species or ecosystems, keep track of factors affecting the site’s biodiversity, and ensure integrity of local protected areas.

We work with external stakeholders, including local and national governments, local communities and conservation NGOs, to develop and implement biodiversity conservation programmes.

Biodiversity offsets are reserves established to protect ecologically sensitive areas within our mining or exploration leases, or to compensate for the impacts of our operations on biodiversity. Xstrata has established three biodiversity offset areas, one nature reserve and identified three potential conservation areas.

We also support a number of biodiversity conservation initiatives associated with our operating regions, in partnership with governments and conservation organisations.

Landscape management, site closure and rehabilitation

We manage the impacts of our operations on landscapes at every stage in their lifecycle, from initial exploration to decommissioning and closure.

It is unavoidable that exploration and mining will have some effect on landscapes, but we minimise these impacts by removing as little topsoil and vegetation as possible and by rehabilitating sites (or part of a site) as soon as possible after activity has ceased. We cover and contour waste rock dumps to prevent acid rock drainage and match local topography. Closure plans, which include a full assessment of all significant environmental risks, are in place at all managed operations. They are based on ICMM’s closure planning guidance. Each of our businesses customises the guidance to suit their needs.

We cover and contour waste rock dumps to prevent acid rock drainage and match local topography.

Closure plans, which include a full assessment of all significant environmental risks, are in place at all managed operations. They are based on ICMM’s closure planning guidance. Each of our businesses customise the guidance to suit their needs

Plans are reviewed annually to ensure that closure and rehabilitation cost estimates are still correct, check that environmental, social and legal circumstances have not changed and identify any new potential commercial opportunities for reuse of the site. We aim to rehabilitate sites to a sufficiently high standard that they can be used for residential or agricultural purposes, or return them to a condition similar to their natural state prior to the commencement of operations.

Each year we measure the estimated cost of rehabilitating our sites at closure over the life of the operation. In some countries we provide the government with a bond (usually a bank guarantee) that would cover closure costs or maximum liability over the term of the operating plan.

We also remediate historic contamination from previous activity at our sites, in partnership with local authorities and other companies.

Last Modified on September 18 2009, 10:47:47 PST

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