Biodiversity and livelihoods: ASI project involving Indigenous Peoples in bauxite mining rehabilitation
With COP16 underway in Cali, Colombia, the world’s attention should be on the urgent actions needed to address the fundamental role of nature in supporting life in our world. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is promoting the importance of restoring what has been lost, but given the ongoing global decline of biodiversity, new collaborative […]
28 October 2024
With COP16 underway in Cali, Colombia, the world’s attention should be on the urgent actions needed to address the fundamental role of nature in supporting life in our world. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is promoting the importance of restoring what has been lost, but given the ongoing global decline of biodiversity, new collaborative models are needed.
Bauxite mining disturbs large areas of land, and progressive rehabilitation and mine closure are critical parts of the mine life cycle. ASI’s latest project, supported by an ISEAL Innovation Grant, aims to create new models of partnership between mining companies and Indigenous Peoples and land-connected Local Communities. Post-mining, these communities will be the future stewards of biodiversity on their lands.
ASI’s project is a practical one in collaboration with the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Forum (IPAF). It will focus on mine rehabilitation planting, setting up monitoring/assessment plots, planning requirements and other considerations required to meet regulatory commitments, with consideration for both livelihood opportunities and environmental outcomes. Post-mine land management requirements and specific land use options will be considered, incorporating circular economy strategies to optimize resource use and ensure sustainable rehabilitation outcomes.
Project training for IPAF participants will be conducted at the ASI certified Gulkula Mining Company located in Northern Territory Australia, the only Indigenous owned/operated bauxite mine in the world. The applied training will focus on methodologies that can be applied in a diversity of bauxite mine applications, relevant to each country or region, to train participants who can then train other people, including Indigenous Peoples and land-connected Local Communities and/or Entity staff. These trained participants will be able to apply their traditional knowledge, information and hands on experience gained from this project and continue to meet their customary obligations as stewards of their lands including biodiversity and other ecosystem services.
Several ASI Members are exploring contributions to and support for the project, which may in the case of bauxite mining Entities include providing a prepared area for working collaboratively with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to establish a mine rehabilitation training and demonstration site in each participating country. Project partners will gain opportunities to build capacity and positive relationships and establish a shared understanding of collaborative mine closure planning supported by practical methodologies and tools.
For more information on how to support this project, contact Mark Annandale, Director of Research and IPAF Adviser.
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