Our mining operations are all in remote locations, and many have populations of regionally or locally significant plants and animals in the vicinity of the mines. We seek to understand how significant species around our sites behave and respond to environmental pressures. These aspects are monitored through surveys and, on the basis of perceived risks, our sites undertake programs to protect the species and their habitats.

Conservation of biodiversity is an issue of increasing concern. We believe that our approach to, and our performance in, the conservation of biodiversity are important to government, scientific and community stakeholders, and as such, are part of our ‘licence to operate’. Our proactive approach provides an opportunity to differentiate ourselves from other mining companies by taking a leadership role in biodiversity management in the regions in which we operate.

• Read about our 2004 performance for Biodiversity and Land management.