Sustainability website / Environment / Biodiversity conservation

Policy and approach

Policy and approach / Performance and goals / Biodiversity offsets

Xstrata’s Sustainable Development Policy sets out our commitment to preserve the long-term health, function and viability of the natural environment affected by our operations. 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. Our aim is to avoid net losses or degradation of natural habitats, biodiversity and landscape functions, for example watershed management, control of soil erosion and microclimate creation. As a member of ICMM, we have undertaken not to explore or mine in World Heritage listed sites. No Xstrata operations are adjacent to World Heritage designated areas.

(SD Management Standard 10: Environment, Biodiversity and Landscape Function).

Baseline biodiversity and landscape function studies are conducted at the feasibility or exploration phase of projects or as soon as practicable for acquired operations without an appropriate baseline study. Environmental risk assessments associated with impacts on biodiversity are undertaken for all new operations or major changes to existing operations. We consult with affected and concerned external stakeholders to develop and implement biodiversity and landscape function management systems and programmes.

We are also investigating the potential to support a number of regional biodiversity and conservation initiatives associated with operating regions, in partnership with government and conservation organisations.

Performance and goals

Policy and approach / Performance and goals / Biodiversity offsets

Performance and goals

Xstrata owns, leases or manages a total of 2.5 million hectares of land, of which 18,328 hectares is located in or adjacent to biodiversity-rich areas, including 8,905 hectares in or adjacent to protected areas.

Every managed operation is required to implement a biodiversity conservation plan. Our target is for acquired operations to implement a biodiversity conservation plan within two years of acquisition. All managed operations have developed and implemented biodiversity conservation plans and sites acquired in 2006 are on track to achieve this target by the end of 2008. Sites and projects acquired in 2007 will implement biodiversity conservation plans by the end of 2009.

Protected areas

Protected areas are defined as areas of land or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means.

Areas of high biodiversity value

Areas of high biodiversity value are defined as areas not subject to legal protection but recognised for important biodiversity features by governmental and non-governmental organisations. These include habitats that are a priority for conservation or have been identified as particular areas of high biodiversity value.

Biodiversity offsets

Policy and approach / Performance and goals / Biodiversity offsets

Biodiversity offset areas or nature reserves have been established at a number of operations to protect ecologically sensitive areas within our mining or exploration leases or to compensate for potential impacts on biodiversity from our operations. These include the voluntary ‘like-for-like’ biodiversity offset area at McArthur River Mine, Northern Territory Australia, where the underground mine is being converted to an open cut operation, entailing the diversion of a 5.5 kilometre section of the seasonal McArthur River and Barney Creek. The proposed offset area on the lower McArthur River and in the adjacent area of the Glyde River has been assessed to be similar in habitat to the area around the mine. Field studies were conducted in 2007 to assess the biodiversity value of the area. A technical document developed by consultants to provide guidance for the offset was endorsed in 2007 by the Federal Government and Conservation International following an international peer review and discussions are progressing with the Northern Territory government to implement the offset programme.

Offsets have also been established at a number of Xstrata Coal operations, including the voluntary establishment of the Newlands Nature Refuge in Queensland Australia comprising 4,300 hectares of land in which a number of threatened ecological communities and species have been identified. Of the 4,300 hectares protected, 530 hectares was established to offset the new Wollombi coal mine. The Mount Owen biodiversity offset strategy in New South Wales Australia includes the protection of 415 hectares for conservation purposes.

Download : Xstrata managed operations in or adjacent to protected areas and Xstrata managed operations in or adjacent to areas of high biodiversity value