Tuesday, 27th June 2006 (1287 views)

The International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM) has released the latest edition of its newsletter, highlighting what member companies are doing in order to promote sustainable development.

Titled "Good Practice", the new edition specifically aims to highlight good environmental practices carried out by the mining industry.

ICMM secretary general Paul Mitchell recognises that the mining industry by its nature leaves an environmental footprint, but asserts that "there is plenty of evidence of our members managing impacts and contributing to biodiversity conservation".

A case in point is Newmont Mining Corporation, the world's largest gold producer, which is involved in preserving coral reefs in Indonesia.

Reefs are a vital part of the local ecosystem near the company's Bat Hijau mine in the south-east Asian nation and Newmont has created a reef ball program that creates new coral and an environment for aquatic life to live in. By 2010, the company aims to have 2000 reef balls in place.

The work is being carried out by Newmont's local company, PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (PTNNT), and the reef balls have proved effective at promoting the growth of marine biota.

"The coral reef conservation program is one of PTNNT's commitments to go beyond the requirements of regulation in our efforts to conserve the environment near the Batu Hijau mine," said company spokesman Kasan Mulyono.

 

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