Mitigation Hierarchy
Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. Estimates vary, but scientists believe that between 200 and 2,000 species may go extinct each year.
Mining plays a vital role in economic development, delivering essential minerals and metals while supporting livelihoods. But if not managed responsibly, mining can significantly harm biodiversity. Operators must find a balance—supporting economic opportunity while protecting the habitats and ecosystems in which they work.
Applying the mitigation hierarchy
Biodiversity is inherently complex. Understanding and the tools used to measure and manage biodiversity are continually evolving. Despite technical challenges, applying the mitigation hierarchy remains the most effective approach for companies seeking to limit their impact and contribute to global biodiversity goals.
ICMM members are committed to addressing biodiversity and ecosystem risks through the mitigation hierarchy, aiming for no-net-loss. This means taking all reasonable steps to avoid, minimise, restore, and—where necessary—offset impacts on nature.
The hierarchy guides decision-making across the full life of a mine. It shapes how land is selected, developed, managed and eventually rehabilitated.
- Avoidance means preventing harm to species and natural processes, particularly those that cannot recover easily if disturbed. This often involves steering clear of sensitive habitats altogether, or avoiding operations during critical periods—such as breeding seasons for migratory birds.
- Minimisation involves reducing unavoidable impacts, such as by limiting noise and dust or building wildlife underpasses beneath roads to allow species to move freely.
- Restoration refers to regenerating ecosystems after mining, for example by replacing soil and replanting native vegetation to support biodiversity recovery. Together, avoidance, minimisation and restoration are designed to reduce residual impacts as far as possible.
- Offsetting is used only as a last resort. It involves delivering conservation gains elsewhere to compensate for any remaining impact, with the goal of achieving no-net-loss overall.
Is achieving no-net-loss possible?
Achieving no-net-loss is possible—but it’s complex and context-dependent.
Biodiversity is not easily measured, and the time lag between taking action and seeing ecological results can span years or decades. In some cases, a mine may close before the benefits of its restoration work become fully visible.
Success also depends on external factors. Conservation areas created by mining companies must be respected and maintained over the long term, including by host communities and governments who may face competing development pressures. This highlights the need for enduring protection strategies.
Given these challenges, companies must invest in robust systems, rigorous monitoring, and long-term planning to enable credible, transparent progress towards no-net-loss.
By doing so, the mining and metals industry can make a meaningful contribution to halting global biodiversity loss—transforming a historically extractive relationship with nature into one of stewardship and accountability.
