Protecting Biodiversity

The size, scale and location of mining operations means they can have a negative impact on local biodiversity. Carefully managing and maintaining the range of biodiversity on and near our sites is vital for the ongoing health of our local environment and community livelihoods. 

We seek to minimize our biodiversity impacts through a variety of mechanisms throughout a mine’s life starting at the project design and evaluation phases. Including; 

• Baseline Assessments: We undertake comprehensive baseline assessments of flora and fauna, including information on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, before any operation or expansion takes place 
• Environmental Impact Assessments: We conduct EIAs and develop corresponding management plans for every major project. These include site-specific mitigation measures for impacts on land, flora, and fauna, within the applicable environmental requirements 
• Biodiversity Action Plans and Monitoring Studies: At our Çöpler Mine we developed BAPs for the Mine and its associated TSF. We also work with experts from Gazi and Hacettepe Universities to conduct biodiversity monitoring on a quarterly basis. We will consider developing BAPs for our other mines 
• Enterprise Level Biodiversity Standard: In 2019 SSR reviewed the MAC Biodiversity Conservation Management Protocol, and integrated an enterprise level biodiversity standard into our overall Environmental and Community Relations Management System. During 2021 we will work to roll this out to our expanded Group

Our Biodiversity Footprint

 The Seabee Gold Operation and Marigold Mine are not located within or adjacent to protected areas, or areas of high biodiversity value (as defined by national biodiversity strategies). 

Similarly, the Çöpler Gold Mine is not located within or adjacent to protected areas, however the region is home to some protected species including Dag Kecisi a type of wild goat. Other examples of fauna found near Çöpler includes, wolves, foxes, and lynx. During regular monitoring in 2020 we identified a native plant ‘Allium Shahinii’, which has been added to the Turkish biodiversity inventory. Additional research including regional surveys found that the plant had a wider distribution than the mine lease areas. 

Our Marigold Mine has various management plans in place for protecting biodiversity. They include Bird and Bat Conservation; Eagle Management Plan; Noxious Weeds Management. 

At our Puna Operations we have participatory monitoring programs with members of the local community to help us understand the full range of flora and fauna near our operations. 

The International Union for Conservations of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. Below are the number of species in each site that are listed by the IUCN.

IUCN Species