A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

Biodiversity Management During
Development and Construction
During the construction phase, effective management of contractors is also an
essential aspect of leading practice biodiversity management (see Mt Todd case
study). Increasingly, strict obligations are placed on construction companies to
implement their own environmental management systems (EMS) to deliver to the
mine owner’s standards, including:
the protection of vegetation and watercourses (no
clearing outside designated areas).
the control of pests (no pets, wash down of all vehicles).
disruption of wildlife (for example, restricted access to areas).
waste management.
Leading practice mining companies evaluate construction contracts on the basis
of the contractor’s past performance and audits of the contractor’s environmental
management programs, systems and performance.
The development of linear infrastructure such as roads, pipelines and overland
conveyers associated with mining projects can impact on a wide range of
ecosystems. Disturbance of habitats can occur during construction. Ongoing
impacts can also result, such as barriers to wildlife movement, road kills and water
pollution from runoff. The movement of animals across the landscape is not uniform.
Identifying favoured crossing points and installing under infrastructure access, road
signage, speed limits, rumble strips or other measures can greatly reduce wildlife
impacts.
For control of other diseases and weeds, construction materials and equipment
should be thoroughly inspected, disassembled if necessary, and cleaned prior
to arrival on and departure from the site. Attention should be given to imported
machinery, or machinery that has come from at-risk areas. The high cost of control
methods is justified when measured against the cost of their impacts on economic,
social and environmental (including biodiversity) values.
68 LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY