Mining and biodiversity offsets: a transparent and science-based approach to measure "no-net-loss".

Mining and associated infrastructure developments can present themselves as economic opportunities that are difficult to forego for developing and industrialised countries alike. Almost inevitably, however, they lead to biodiversity loss. This trade-off can be greatest in economically poor but highly biodiverse regions. Biodiversity offsets have, therefore, increasingly been promoted as a mechanism to help achieve both the aims of development and biodiversity conservation. Accordingly, this mechanism is emerging as a key tool for multinational mining companies to demonstrate good environmental stewardship. Relying on offsets to achieve "no-net-loss" of biodiversity, however, requires certainty in their ecological integrity where they are used to sanction habitat destruction. Here, we discuss real-world practices in biodiversity offsetting by assessing how well some leading initiatives internationally integrate critical aspects of biodiversity attributes, net loss accounting and project management. With the aim of improving, rather than merely critiquing the approach, we analyse different aspects of biodiversity offsetting. Further, we analyse the potential pitfalls of developing counterfactual scenarios of biodiversity loss or gains in a project's absence. In this, we draw on insights from experience with carbon offsetting. This informs our discussion of realistic projections of project effectiveness and permanence of benefits to ensure no net losses, and the risk of displacing, rather than avoiding biodiversity losses ("leakage"). We show that the most prominent existing biodiversity offset initiatives employ broad and somewhat arbitrary parameters to measure habitat value and do not sufficiently consider real-world challenges in compensating losses in an effective and lasting manner. We propose a more transparent and science-based approach, supported with a new formula, to help design biodiversity offsets to realise their potential in enabling more responsible mining that better balances economic development opportunities for mining and biodiversity conservation.

Recuperación de áreas dañadas por la minería en la cantera los guaos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba / Resoration of arreas affected by mining in the guaos quarry, santiago de Cuba, Cuba

La provincia de Santiago de Cuba tiene concesionados 10 yacimientos donde se explotan geo-recursos destinados a la producción de materiales para la construcción. Las áreas dañadas por la explotación de materiales de la construcción en la provincia ocupan alrededor de 43 ha, lo cual provoca un fuerte impacto al medio ambiente. Por tal razón se propuso como Objetivo: elaborar un procedimiento para recuperar las áreas minadas en las canteras de materiales de construcción de Santiago de Cuba que permita lograr una minería responsable. En la metodología: se aplicaron métodos científicos que permitieron el análisis de los factores que influyen en la elección de los usos de recuperación en áreas minadas de la zona de estudio. Alcanzando como resultado: un procedimiento que consta de cinco etapas principales. Y como conclusión: se demostró que se puede mejorar la calidad ambiental, social y económica en las zonas afectadas por la actividad minera.

The province of Santiago de Cuba has 10 mining deposits franchised where geo-resources for production of building materials are exploited. The areas that are damaged by the exploitation of construction materials in the province occupy about 43 ha, which is provoking a strong environmental impact. For this reason the proposed objective of this research was: To develop a method to restore the areas affected by mining in the building materials quarries in Santiago de Cuba which allowed achieving responsible mining. Methodology: scientific methods were applied which allowed the analysis of the factors that influence in the selection of the restoration uses in mining areas in the study zone. Results: A process consisting of five major stages. Conclusion: it was demonstrated that it is possible to improve the environmental, social and economic quality in the areas affected by mining activities.