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The De Beers group of companies recognises that, in order to ensure we have a sustainable business, we need to manage our natural capital by protecting and conserving biodiversity as well as maintaining ecosystem services.
In South Africa, De Beers is integrally involved in mainstreaming biodiversity into the mining sector and chairs the Mining and Biodiversity Forum, which brings together representatives from various stakeholder groups (including government departments, civil society, mining industry and academic/independent specialists). It has been instrumental in initiating and driving the development of the guideline named, “Mining and Biodiversity Guideline – Mainstreaming biodiversity into the mining sector” that will be launched today in Cape Town jointly by the Ministers of Water and Environmental Affairs and of Mineral Resources.
De Beers also recently became a founding partner of the National Biodiversity and Business Network (NBBN) together with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), in collaboration with government and other sectors including retail, transport, finance, property and construction. The aim of the Network is to assist businesses from various sectors to integrate and mainstream biodiversity issues into their strategies and operations.
At the launch, Phillip Barton, CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines said “De Beers recognises the importance of collaboration and by participating in and supporting the Biodiversity and Business Network, demonstrates that businesses need not impose any limits on ambitions to contribute positively to mainstreaming biodiversity into economic development and restoring our natural capital base.”
During the offshore operations in South Africa, De Beers Marine worked closely with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) to provide input into the Offshore Marine Protected Areas project. Through this project a substantial number of data layers was developed and collated to identify focus areas for Offshore Marine Protected Area establishment.
In Namibia, some operations fall within the Tsau //Khaeb National Park in the biome known as the Succulent Karoo, and so the management of biodiversity has always been one of the key aspects addressed at these mining operations. The Succulent Karoo is known for its numerous endemic species, some of which have exceedingly small global distribution ranges. One such plant species is Juttadinteria albata, a small “vygie”, that is fondly known as “Jutta”, which occurs around Sendelingsdrif and forms part of a restoration ecology programme in partnership with Gobabeb, the Namib Restoration Ecology Unit and the University of Namibia. The programme aims to develop restoration methods and techniques that can ensure the successful restoration of the Jutta population at Sendelingsdrif as part of our commitment to conserving and protecting biodiversity.
In Canada, around Victor mine in the James Bay region, little was known about the specific behaviour of the Woodland Caribou in this vast and isolated region of sub-arctic muskeg wetlands. De Beers initiated a series of studies which will continue throughout the life of the mine to monitor potential impacts on this animal through airborne population surveys and using GPS radio collars to track caribou movements. Since 2004 more than 40 female caribou have been radio-collared, providing previously unknown details about their behaviour revealing far greater than expected distances travelled.
In Botswana, Debswana and the Orapa Game Park have demonstrated the value of endangered species and habitat protection by bringing mining, wildlife & communities into harmony as part of their ‘Orapa Today & Tomorrow’ Vision. His Excellency the President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama said “Debswana is not only demonstrating sound corporate social responsibility, but this development reaffirms our commitment as a country to environmental conservation, which is a fundamental component of today’s business”
The Diamond Route is an ongoing biodiversity conservation, research, education and outreach programme. It currently comprises ten sites covering some 250 000 hectares which stretch from the deserts of Namaqualand on South Africa’s west coast to South Africa’s northern border, then up to the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana. No other programme encompasses as many unique habitats and harbours as many species, some of which are endangered and range-restricted.