Business and Biodiversity

QMM Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management Committee

As Madagascar is one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots, Rio Tinto QMM has devoted significant resources to demonstrating its commitment to the biodiversity conservation of the flora and fauna of the Anosy Region, where it operates in the south-eastern part of the country. QMM has specific environment and social obligations as well as commitments to fulfil as part of its mining license and environmental permits.

In 2003, QMM created an independent committee of globally recognised biodiversity experts to provide external perspectives and advice on implementing the Rio Tinto biodiversity strategy. The Biodiversity Committee assisted QMM with the implementation of its Biodiversity programme, specifically with the preparation and maintenance of a biodiversity monitoring plan, the biodiversity monograph and other biodiversity technical issues, including ecological restoration.

The committee was instrumental in working in collaboration with Rio Tinto and QMM in the validation of the methodology required to establish the Net Positive Impact (NPI) Biodiversity Forecast and the development of a set of appropriate metrics for each group of biodiversity values including threatened species, rare habitats or non-timber forest products.  The committee concluded its work in 2015.

Building on this foundation and lessons learned over more than a decade as well as the evolving expectations of key stakeholders, IUCN signed an agreement with QMM to serve as a facilitator and coordinator of the renewed Biodiversity and Natural Resources Management Committee (BNRMC). The committee met for the first time in early 2018. Committee members include experts in biodiversity, community management of natural resources and local stakeholder engagement.  (See the committee members and their biographies here.)

This committee's mandate is to contribute to QMM's Biodiversity, Natural Resources and Communities Programme by:

  • Providing strategic insight on biodiversity and natural resource management issues;
  • Advising on implementation of the mitigation hierarchy for biodiversity;
  • Advising on natural resources provision and stewardship; and,
  • Reviewing annual progress.

As part of its role, IUCN supports the development of the agendas and public reports from these meetings.  While IUCN can help inform the advisory process, it does not have any decision-making authority over QMM and the management of its operations.  

For further information about QMM, please visit here.

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