Where the birds are
In 2004 more than 400 delegates from 100 countries attended the BirdLife
International World Conference in Durban, South Africa. They brought their
birdbooks and binoculars to observe their feathered friends in a country
renowned for its rich and exotic wildlife. And where did they go to see the
birds? A mine site.
Birds and mines may seem at odds, but they are a natural fit. The presence of
healthy numbers and varieties of birds is an excellent indicator of the health
of the environment. Many employees throughout the Rio Tinto Group are
enthusiastic and knowledgeable amateur ornithologists. At an increasing number
of Rio Tinto sites, monitoring birdlife has become an important part of
environmental management.
The link between mines and birding has progressed strongly since 2001 when a
pilot project involving 21 Rio Tinto sites in ten countries started the
BirdLife International/Rio Tinto partnership. The organisations share the aim
of enhancing the conservation of birds and their habitats as a means of
contributing to sustainable development. The fourth annual Rio Tinto mine site
birdwatching events organised by BirdLife and Rio Tinto during 2004 attracted
nearly 2,000 participants to 47 events at 29 sites. They spotted a record 1,644
species.
Richards Bay Minerals north of Durban was a natural destination for a field trip
by birders attending the world conference. RBM is located in one of the world's
prime birdwatching areas where over 600 species of birds can be observed. RBM
is an active partner in the Richards Bay Avitourism Programme which trains
birding guides and develops observation hides and other birding infrastructure
such as paths and a visitor centre.
The avitourism programme has shown how a community's links with its own
environment can be extended to creating viable economic outcomes that can
contribute to a sustainable future. The training of guides has been a major
success, with 30 people completing the course so far. They have generated
significant incomes as freelance guides. Others have found full time employment
as a result of their training.
At a ceremony in Johannesburg, Rio Tinto and RBM received BirdLife South
Africa's Owl awards for the avitourism project. The field trip to RBM by
international conference delegates underlined the success of the partnership.
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