2016 ima europe award applications - category biodiversity

Applicants in the category:

BIODIVERSITY

Mattia Pelegrini Prof. K. Van Acker Grégory Mahy Boris Barov

JURY MEMBERS

CANDIDATE 1

Quarzwerke GmbH

Promotion of biodiversity in the renatured forest wildlife

Contact: Britta [email protected]

speciesWhereas open pit quarries offer welcome pioneer habitats for many rare and endangered plant and animal species, creating a habitat for old-forest species takes many decades. It is a highly complex process requiring a special strategy.In 2014 Quarzwerke signed a partnership with the forestry office, resulting in:- A changed forestry concept - Provision of maternity roosts & winter boxes for bats on trees - Construction of a bats winter cave- Creation of woodland for amphibians in 2012- Building of an amphibian tunnelThe recultivated mining area not only provides a habitat for over 600 pioneer species; it protects old forest wildlife too.

Promotion of biodiversity in the renatured forest wildlife

Category: Biodiversity

Candidate 1Quarzwerke GmbH

CANDIDATE 2

Imerys Refractory Minerals

Enhanced rehabilitation practices to fosterthe settlement of the Rainbow Bird

Contact: Laure [email protected]

A regional endangered species called the Rainbow bird (Merops Apiaster) has been observed nesting in IRM Clérac’soperating quarries. The rehabilitation of the quarry may compromise the settlement of this bird, which needs specific conditions to nest. Good practices need to be defined to make sure that the settlement of this bird will be sustainable.

In parallel to applying to open a new quarry in the South of France, IRM Clérac signed a 10-year convention with a local association to foster the development of this bird in the new quarry. The NGO Charente Nature will monitor the settlement, give advice and define good practices.

Category: BiodiversityCandidate 2Imerys RefractoryMinerals

Enhanced rehabilitation to foster the settlement of the Rainbow Bird

CANDIDATE 3

Sibelco Europe

Valuing our natural capital: a strong partnership between mining

and biodiversity

Cathy Blervacq & Inez [email protected]@sibelco.comwww.sibelco.com

Sibelco developed a Natural Capital approach (our quarries) together with a supportive toolkit, to counterbalance negative impacts on nature and that shows that sustainable mining can create great opportunities for nature and biodiversity.

Sibelco started to apply it to reference sites throughout Europe. The knowledge and expertise being built in the Reference Sites will be used to inspire other sites. In addition, two Europe wide action programs were launched: a Species Protection Program for pioneer species related to quarry areas, as well as a Calculator for Ecosystem Services (ESS) and Biodiversity based upon specific land use in our quarries (before, during or after mining).

Valuing our natural capital – Biodiversity Strategy


Candidate 3Sibelco Europe

CANDIDATE 4

Sibelco France

Compensation measures for the protection of orchid Ophrys drumana

Contact: Laurence [email protected]@sibelco.comwww.sibelco.com

Inventories showed the presence of Ophrys drumana in a future kaolin and silica sand quarry area in the South East of France. Ophrys drumana, a protected species, grows in calcareous grasslands, near forest edges and is endangered by increasing forest development. Sibelco France proposed compensation measures and acquired “les pelouses de tête d’homme” of 1.2 ha, home to a significant population of Ophrys drumana. Sibelco reopened the landscape by cutting bushes manually and uses horse grazing to maintain it open.

After 4 years, local flora showed a fourfold increase in the Ophrys drumana population, a total count of 22 different orchids with the introduction of 5 new orchid species. The site has subsequently been designated as a protection zone for biotopes by the French authorities.


Candidate 4Sibelco France

Compensation measures for the protection of the orchid Ophrys drumana

CANDIDATE 5

Sibelco France

Creating a substitution area for Silene portensis

Contact: Laurence [email protected]@sibelco.comwww.sibelco.com


Candidate 5Sibelco France

Creating a substitution area for Silene portensis

The quarries of Bédoin are silica sand quarries close to the Mont Ventoux, South East France. They are located next to a ZNIEFF protected area for fauna and flora. Silene portensis, a very rare and regional protected species is found in the area. It grows on acidic sandy grounds and disappears when the vegetation becomes denser. In 2004, an inventory was conducted as part of a study to expand the quarry. A hot spot of Silene portensis was found that would be jeopardized by the expansion. Sibelco France took substitution measures to create a sandy area of 300m² to allow the reintegration of Silene portensis. The Sileneportensis plants were relocated and the seeds were collected and planted manually in 2005. End 2009, the population in the new sandy area show an important increase: more than 150 plants compared to 10 plants in 2002.

CANDIDATE 6

Sibelco Deutschland

Yellow-bellied toad developmentprogramme

Gerd Klemmer & Burkard [email protected]@sibelco.comwww.sibelco.eu

Since 2009, Sibelco Deutschland is actively supporting amphibians in its clay and kaolin operations. In Oedingen, their habitat has been optimised and extended by creating ponds and keeping the area open. The company works closely together with specialists and authorities.

Since 2012 Oedingen is part of the project “Restoring and linking of yellow-bellied toad populations in Germany”. The positive developments led Oedingen to become a source habitat for the repopulation of other areas. During the reproduction period eggs from ponds with low water levels are collected and reared ex situ. Later the larvae are returned to areas (within the former natural distribution area), that are suitable for Yellow bellied toads but currently without a population. See: www.projekt-gelbbauchunke.de


Candidate 6Sibelco Deutschland

Yellow-bellied toad development programme

CANDIDATE 7

Sibelco

Ecological connectivity onArcos de la Frontera

Amparo Pérez Ponce & Carmen Navarro [email protected], [email protected]

Sibelco Spain has developed a Biodiversity Management Plan in the quarry of “Arcos de la Frontera”. The plan is a guidance tool for the ecological balance in the quarry area. It covers the different life stages of the quarry: areas where extraction takes place, areas in the process of being restored, and restored areas. The management of exotic species (Acacia farnesiana) and specific actions to ensure the survival of some species (Bee-eater, Cork oak) are also covered.

The quarry of Arcos is creating several lagoons in the area that function as an important connectivity between larger water bodies in the surroundings. In the short term, the lagoons can become important resting or foraging areas for migratory animals (birds and mammals). In the long term, these lagoons will upgrade the structural ecological connectivity of the land, because the lagoons will form an important stepping stone between larger water bodies.


Candidate 7Sibelco Spain

Ecological connectivity in Arcos de la Frontera

CANDIDATE 8

Nordkalk AB

Appollo and Large Blue butterfly project

Contact: Gabriella Hammerskjö[email protected]

In connection with Nordkalk´s latest limestone quarry permit application for a new quarry area on Gotland, the EIA study found two rare butterflies, the Apollo (Parnassius apollo) and Large Blue (Maculinea arion), at the planned quarry. Nordkalkdeveloped a special protection and conservation program aiming to increase the natural areas for the two rare butterfly species at a suitable overgrown nature area close to the quarry. A detailed plan how to trim bushes and trees to create the right habitat conditions for the butterflies and there host plants and host ants was developed with help from experienced ecological experts. This project is the first of its kind in the Swedish Mining Industry regulating protection and conservation measures according to the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) by a Swedish Environmental Court decision. The court decision stated that such an approach was considered to comply with the Habitats Directive's overall aim of biological diversity and restoration work.


Candidate 8Nordkalk AB

Apollo and Large Blue butterfly project

CANDIDATE 9

CARMEUSE Western Europe

Local school visits on biodiversity

Contact: Fabrice [email protected]

The plant of Carmeuse Aisemont organizes school visits in restored parts of the quarry, rich in biodiversity: orchids, butterflies, reptiles, falcons, owls, … The visits are made for local school groups with the support of local nature associations who provide help in communicating science to the children.

This is a pragmatic example of the close relationship between the industrial operator and its social environment. The education of young students on how industry can integrate nature in its day-to-day life is an important part of the Carmeuse sustainability program. It also helps the teacher to give concrete examples to students on how they can act for biodiversity in their own environment.


Candidate 9Carmeuse

Local school visits on biodiversity

CANDIDATE 10

IMERYS Industrial Minerals Greece

Milos Vineyard, an innovativereclamation project

Contact: Anna [email protected]

In 2014, IMERYS (then S&B Industrial Minerals S.A.) kicked off an initiative bridging innovation with public awareness and biodiversity through a new economic activity for the local community of Milos island, Greece. The worked-out areas of the Trachilas perlite mine are being converted into a vineyard to sustain local community welfare when mining ceases.

In 2014, 17.500 vines of Cycladic origin (assyrtiko) were planted at 5 ha and sample grapes were harvested in 2015. An organic cultivation method is applied promoting the protection and conservation of the environment using local plant species, encouraging Milos’ residents to employ more environmentally friendly farming methods. Recycled water is to be used for irrigation, conserving the water resources of Milos island. More information: https://youtu.be/6E-t2MnrHt8


Candidate 10Imerys Greece

Milos Vineyard, an innovative reclamation project

Winners to be announced after 28 September 2016 on

http://www.ima-europe.eu/award/

2016 ima europe award applications - category biodiversity

Leadership & Management

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