February 2007, Australian Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources
This handbook addresses the theme of biodiversity management, which is one theme in the Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program. The aims of the Program are to identify the key issues affecting sustainable development in the mining industry and provide information and case studies that illustrate a more sustainable basis for the mining industry.
The leading practice handbooks are relevant to all stages of a mine’s life—exploration, feasibility, design, construction, operation and closure – and to all facets of an operation, this is particularly true for this handbook. Leading practice biodiversity management starts at the very beginning of a mining project, and continues after mine closure and lease relinquishment. It is not limited to the immediate area affected by operations, but must take account of all relevant site, local, regional, national and even international aspects.
The primary audience for this handbook is management at the operational level—those who are responsible for implementing leading practice at mining operations. It is also relevant to people with an interest in leading practice biodiversity management in the mining industry, including environmental officers; mining consultants; governments and regulators; nongovernment organisations; neighbouring and mine communities; and students. All users are encouraged to work together in partnership, taking up the challenge to continually improve the mining industry’s standards of biodiversity management, as part of its sustainable development performance. Improved performance can be achieved through applying the principles outlined in these handbooks.
This handbook outlines the key principles and procedures now recognised as leading practice for assessing biodiversity values, namely:
- identifying any primary, secondary or cumulative impacts on biodiversity values
- minimising and managing these impacts
- restoring conservation values
- managing conservation values on a sustainable basis.
Leading practice biodiversity management requires that relevant issues are addressed on a whole-of-lease basis, always in consultation with government and other key stakeholders, and increasingly in partnership with non-government organisations.
Research and monitoring are essential components of leading practice for the management of impacts on biodiversity, and their rehabilitation following disturbance. Companies that achieve the highest biodiversity management standards inevitably use findings of research and monitoring programs for continuous improvement, a key element of their environmental management system (EMS).
This handbook describes why biodiversity is important, the business case for biodiversity management, and the leading practice approaches to biodiversity conservation and rehabilitation. A number of case studies illustrate various aspects of biodiversity management that reinforce the approaches outlined.
This leading practice handbook complements other publications, in addition to providing information specific to biodiversity management in the Australian context. In particular, this handbook complements the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Good Practice Guidance for Mining and Biodiversity (ICMM 2006), which was developed following extensive discussions with the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
