Between 2018 and 2021, IUCN and Newmont have agreed to explore the company’s on-site and operational management systems on mining impacts as well as its activities related to restoration and offsets, in order to ensure better biodiversity outcomes.
As part of the agreement, IUCN and its experts – including representatives of IUCN Member organisations and its Commissions – are conducting independent reviews at select mine sites using the IUCN Biodiversity Net Gain Protocol.
The first site visit was conducted in August 2018 at the company's operations in Nevada, USA. See the findings published here. A second site visit was conducted at the company’s Boddington site in Western Australia in 2019. Read a summary of the findings and watch a short video. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a third independent site review has been rescheduled for later in 2021.
Data gathered through the reviews is being used to design and implement enhanced biodiversity conservation programmes at the company's global mine sites and for knowledge sharing with IUCN Members.
Background
Based in Colorado, USA, Newmont is one of the world’s leading gold and copper producers with operations in Africa, Australia, North and South America.
The company has a stated goal of no net loss of key biodiversity values (KBVs) in its areas of influence. The company is also a founding member of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and has committed to not explore or mine in World Heritage Sites and report on their sustainable development performance in line with Global Reporting Initiative guidelines, with annual third-party assurance.
IUCN is committed to helping business measure and value their impacts and dependencies on nature, including identifying new tools and processes that can help them achieve their biodiversity targets. Furthermore, a no net loss or a Biodiversity Net Gain approach follows the mitigation hierarchy framework to avoid, minimise, rehabilitate and finally compensate for residual damage, where appropriate. Where the net gain exceeds no net loss, the term biodiversity net gain may be used instead.
