Global research shows that biodiversity loss is as big a threat to our planet as climate change. Meanwhile, metals and minerals are a critical part of many value chains, not least in the green transition. Sweden is the first mining nation worldwide to have developed and adopted a national roadmap to minimize negative impacts on biodiversity: Mining with Nature contains 32 concrete actions for companies and the industry.
Anna Sundin, environmental coordinator at Zinkgruvan Mining, was involved in the development of Mining with Nature.
– The roadmap includes an ambitious target for our industry to make a net-positive contribution to biodiversity by 2030 in all areas where we operate,” says Anna.
Mining with Nature is based on the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy; to avoid, minimize, restore and compensate for negative impacts on biodiversity.
– The Swedish mining industry is working proactively and there are many good initiatives, including biodiversity parks and wetland restoration. At Zinkgruvan Mining, we have, for example, created green areas within the industrial area and during 2024 we will carry out an analysis based on previous nature value inventories that will help us to create a baseline for further work. We are also in dialogue with external partners to find collaborative projects in our local area. Internal training initiatives are also a focus area for us. Biodiversity is not something that only the environmental department works with, but should be an natural part of, for example, property management and when planning projects, Anna continues.
The project has been led by environmental experts at Ecogain with support from the mining industry and funding from Swedish Mining Innovation, LKAB, Boliden and Svemin. Representatives from Nordkalk, Heidelberg Materials and Zinkgruvan Mining have also participated in the development.
Mining with Nature has been adopted by the industry association Svemin and its members. The roadmap has gained international recognition and has already been translated into English, Spanish and Mandarin.
