Vedanta Resources Plc, subsidiary Black Mountain mining collaborates with IUCN to develop a Sustainable Biodiversity Management System in the Namaqualand Region
Penge Road, Aggeneys (PRWEB) June 27, 2014 -- The Namaqualand in South Africa contains ecologically sensitive ecosystems with critical value for biodiversity conservation, local livelihoods, eco-tourism and agriculture. Researchers highlight that Namaqualand plant and faunal diversity is particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts and climate change and therefore needs to be at the forefront of the development agenda in the region.
Following the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, the South African Department of Minerals & Energy (DME) initiated a Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development in The Mining Sector. The framework envisioned that by 2010 the South African minerals and petroleum sector would be able to contribute optimally to sustainable development through sustainable and responsible mining.
Black Mountain mining a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc, is a responsible company and strongly support Government of South Africa’s framework of sustainable development and its objectives, and therefore took a decision in 2013 in lieu of proposed expansion projects to partner with international NGO i.e. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),to support and enhance and diversify rural livelihoods within Namaqualand through support to green enterprise development and innovative biodiversity and livelihood options and technologies. Recently the partnership has been finalised and currently working on developing plans for next 5 years.
Under the aegis of this partnership an Independent Review Panel (IRP) with leading experts in the field of environment, biodiversity and environmental law has been set up to provide advice on programmes that will avoid, mitigate or offset biodiversity impacts during operations and at mine closure, to ensure rehabilitation planning and implementation at Gamsberg and to review and provide technical advice on BMM's Biodiversity Management System.
A Biodiversity and Livelihoods Coordination Committee (BLCC) has been set up with former judge A. Gildenhuys as an independent chairperson, to oversee and advise on BMM's corporate social responsibility programmes in Namaqualand. This will be carried out in collaboration with conservation and development Non-Governmental Organizations ("NGOs") and community based organisations ("CBOs") operating within the region.
For more information on IUCN and BMM partnership related activities please visit:http://www.iucn.org/about/union/secretariat/offices/esaro/what_we_do/biodiversity__economics_and_business/
About Black Mountain Mining (Pty) Ltd.
Black Mountain Mining (Pty) Ltd. a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc, comprises of the Black Mountain mine and the Gamsberg Project. Both zinc-lead mines are located in the Northern Cape province. The Gamsberg Project is currently in the pre-feasibility stage while Black Mountain Mine has been a productive mine for over three decades.
For more information, please visit: http://www.vedanta-zincinternational.com/operations/black-mountain/
Copy of the press release is available at http://www.vedanta-zincinternational.com/operations/black-mountain/media/latest-news/newsdetails/?news=128
For further information, please contact:
Lael.Walsh(at)iucn(dot)org (Senior Programme Officer/Manager-IUCN)
LAhuja(at)blackmountain(dot)co(dot)za (Head Sustainability-Zinc International, Vedanta)
Vedanta Zinc International, Vedanta Zinc International, +91 9938092279, [email protected]
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