A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

Responsible management of biodiversity, in conjunction with key stakeholder groups
such as regulators and indigenous peoples, is a key element of leading practice
sustainable development in the mining industry. Engagement with these groups is
discussed further in the Leading Practice Handbooks on Community Engagement and
Development and Working with Indigenous Communities.
An example of this leading practice approach in community partnerships is at
Tiwest’s Cooljarloo heavy mineral mine site in WA (see LP Biodiversity p.6). Tiwest’s
philosophy of adding value in partnership is apparent in biodiversity partnerships
with the Perth Zoo, Department of Environment and Conservation and local schools.
Joint work with the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s (CALM)
Western Shield program has seen regional fox numbers reduced to the point where
there have been successful releases of woylies, Tammar Wallabies and Quenda into
nearby Nambung National Park. The Cooljarloo operation is based on an approach
to sustainable development that incorporates a broad range of leading practice
approaches, including:
the collection of seed from mature plants before disturbance.
materials segregation (topsoil, clay overburden, processed material) that
contributes to the rehabilitation and the establishment of landforms,
particularly the management of fine clay slurries or ‘slimes’.
supporting the re-colonisation of locally extinct faunal
species within nearby national parks.
partnerships with local indigenous business enterprises for seed collection
and other services. For example, Tiwest’s partnership with Billinue Aboriginal
Community is now in its 12th year with over a million dollars worth of local
provenance seed collected and 700 ha of disturbed land revegetated.
ongoing partnerships with a wide cross-section of the local
community covering educational projects, environmental
management and support for community organisations.
Managing impacts on terrestrial vegetation and fauna
The first step to minimising direct impacts on vegetation and associated faunal
communities is to identify the location of values from survey information. From this
environmental management plans can be developed and implemented to ensure that,
where possible, high value areas are not cleared. In all instances, these plans should
ensure that the extent of clearing is minimised, consistent with the safe and efficient
operation of the mine. The extent of suitable habitat and its connectivity should allow
for the mobility of most fauna species. Successional aspects are also important. For
example, inappropriate fire regimes can affect all of a remnant area within a mining
lease resulting in the loss of certain species. Rapid rehabilitation of disturbed areas
can minimise the impacts of habitat fragmentation.
Even in instances where rare or threatened fauna species are no longer present in
an area, if surveys show the habitat to be either formerly occupied by the species, or
suitable, then it should be managed accordingly, since it is possible that the species
may colonise (when threatening process such as fox predation are removed or
reduced), or be reintroduced at some later stage.
92 LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY