Madagascar – measuring our effect on biodiversity

In 2004, we committed ourselves to achieving a net positive impact on biodiversity at our operating sites around the world – in other words, to leave as much, if not more, natural variety in place after operations finish than existed before.

We believe that no other company, in any sector, has made such a commitment.

To tell if we’re succeeding, we need to be able to measure our impact and more than compensate through positive – equally measurable – forms of conservation. In 2006, we decided to use our mineral sands project in Madagascar as a pilot site to help develop these methodologies and measures.

Pioneering biodiversity performance indicators

Rio Tinto evaluated the coastal area near Fort-Dauphin in Madagascar for 20 years before deciding to developing its minerals sands project now under construction. Development plans have included in depth biodiversity research and conservation projects such as biological inventory and seed biology studies. We have also established three conservation zones within the littoral forest.

Since 1998, a biodiversity team – made up of Malagasy biologists, botanists and forest engineers – has worked closely with independent experts from organisations such as Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Fauna & Flora International, BirdLife International, Hamburg and Sussex Universities and Missouri Botanical Garden. In 2001 an independent biodiversity committee was set up, made up of these independent experts and Rio Tinto representatives. This committee advises us on the best way to monitor biodiversity, and develop biodiversity performance indicators.

The trial will also measure “offset” programmes, where we compensate for what we cannot replace in-kind in other ways, for example by establishing conservation zones.

The project will form the nucleus for rehabilitating a much larger area in Madagascar after mining operations have closed.

In tandem at the Madagascar site, we are testing a diagnostic tool designed to define all risks and opportunities relating to biodiversity. It also prioritises actions needed to address them. This has already been successfully tried in Australia and looking forward, we intend to implement it in several different environments including Australia and the US.