Ecological Conservation
The environment is the basis for many ecosystem services that we and our surrounding communities rely on. Given the nature of our activities, we have a significant responsibility for biodiversity and land management. If mining, exploration, and smelting activities are not managed properly, they may result in adverse impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Targets and Performance
Our Approach
Zijin Mining will continue to practice the concept of Respecting, Aligning with, and Protecting Nature and adhere to the principle of Protecting the Environment throughout the Mine Development Process. We follow the mitigation hierarchy of Avoidance, Mitigation, Restoration, and Compensation When Necessary to address the loss in biodiversity.
To realize our vision of ecological protection, we have formulated documents including the “Policy Statement on the Protection of the Ecological Environment” and the “Guidelines for Biodiversity Work”. Our Board and management are responsible for determining strategic directions, which are then implemented by our subsidiaries. All of our mine sites have developed and regularly update the “Mine Geological Environment Protection and Land Reclamation Plan”. They will gradually address biodiversity issues through nature-based solutions.
Mining activities may result in a certain degree of land surface damage and ecological risks. During project planning and before land-disturbing activities begin, we survey and evaluate the biodiversity and the health of the ecosystems near each mine. We also assess the impact of our operations on biodiversity, the size of the ecosystems that may be disturbed, and the number and types of species that may be at risk. Further, we analyze the possible impacts on surrounding ecosystems during short-term mine construction and long-term operations.
Risk Management
Mining activities may result in a certain degree of land surface damage and foreseeable ecological risks. Therefore, it is particularly important to protect the ecological environment, and identify and prevent ecological risks in mining areas. During project planning and before land-disturbing activities, we will investigate and evaluate the biodiversity and ecosystem health around each mine, and further assess the impact of our operations on biodiversity and the scope of the ecosystem that may be disturbed, and the number and types of threatened species; we will also analyse the possible impacts on the surrounding ecosystems during short-term construction and long-term operation.
Biodiversity Conservation
Biodiversity is essential for human survival. Rich biodiversity is a vital foundation for supporting all life forms on Earth. We recognize the biodiversity crisis emphasized in the "Kunming Declaration" and the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" (hereinafter referred to as the Framework) and the importance of transformation toward sustainable development. As such, we are committed to strictly complying with international conventions, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on Wetlands, during the operations of our projects. We will abide by the laws, regulations and standards on biodiversity of China and other host countries. We will play a positive role in maintaining biodiversity at our mine sites.
At each of our producing mines, we focus on adopting responsible biodiversity management methods, establishing standards and plans for biodiversity conservation, and verifying progress on mine restoration. We also develop plans for ecological restoration after mine closure. We conduct biodiversity surveys and assessments before launching new projects and do not engage in exploration and mining activities in sensitive areas, including nature reserves and ecological protection areas.
If our protected habitats or species are in the footprint of our projects, we will manage them according to the goals set in the Framework and local conditions. We protect unique and precious local species through the establishment of new botanical gardens, reserves, and wetland protection zones, or relocate animals and plants to other areas. We will seek regulatory approval at every stage of a project, to ensure that endangered species and fragile ecosystems are not damaged.
● We work with conservation agencies, governments, local communities and NGOs to promote biodiversity protection. For example, Continental Gold in Colombia joined the National Animal Protection Organization of Colombia and signed the "Convention on Environmental Protection in the Western Region of Antioquia" with the local provincial environmental protection department; Hunchun Zijin and the Hunchun Bureau of the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park Administration joined hands to protect wild Siberian tigers and leopards for the harmonious coexistence of the mine and the surrounding ecology.
Land Management and Mine Restoration
We work to build green mines in all of our projects, carrying out ecological restoration throughout mine construction and production. We also strictly follow the laws and regulations of the host countries and implement our green, high-quality and sustainable development strategies during geological exploration, mining, processing, smelting, and mine closure. For all the land under our management, we always adhere to the following principles: