Photo: Linda Bjurholt
The mining industry’s roadmap for biodiversity, Mining with nature, is one of the finalists in the Swedish Mining Innovation Award 2021. A slightly different finalist compared to other more technical innovations, but a very inspiring initiative where collaboration is the key. We had a few words with Linda Bjurholt, Environmental manager at LKAB, who was chairman of the steering group for the project.
Congratulations Linda, The Roadmap Mining with nature is one of the finalists in the Swedish Mining Innovation Award 2021! How does it feel?
Of course it feels very fun!
Tell us a little about the Roadmap.
The roadmap is about us in the mining industry in Sweden contributing to increased biodiversity before 2030. We do this together because we think it is important. We can support and help each other and we want to be transparent with how we work. We also hope to inspire others nationally and internationally to do the same.
What is it that makes this such an important and unique initiative?
As far as we know, this is the first roadmap for biodiversity. There are many climate roadmaps, and they are great, but they do not address the loss of biodiversity. Research shows that the loss of biodiversity is a huge threat to the welfare of the earth and we also know that it is closely linked to the climate catastrophe.
Why is a roadmap for biodiversity important?
We really want to concentrate on the work of preserving and increasing the biological diversity in which we operate. The mining industry needs to use land to be able to operate and we want to be able to do it in a way that is optimal for the environment around us. We need to systematize the work and work with the hierarchy of considerations in the best way – avoid, minimize, restore and compensate for the impact.
The roadmap was presented at the end of 2020, what has happened since then?
Since then, several initiatives have been underway, both industry-wide and at the companies, to develop both measurement methodology and practical methods to contribute to increased biodiversity. It is so fun that we see that this is an area that creates commitment and we see that there are lots of good ideas and initiatives among our employees, consultants and within the academy. It feels safe, then we know we will succeed!
Congratulations again Linda and the whole industry behind the roadmap!
Read more
- Färdplan – Mining with nature (svensk version)
- Roadmap – Mining with nature (engelsk version)
- Here are the finalists in the Swedish Mining Innovation Award 2021
- Swedish Mining Innovation Award
- Svemin – Mining with Nature
