Why biodiversity is becoming a defining factor in mining project success

Moving beyond impact management

Historically, biodiversity has often been viewed through the lens of impact assessment and mitigation. While these remain essential, expectations are changing.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) has set a global ambition to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve nature recovery by 2050. For the mining sector, this signals a shift towards measurable biodiversity outcomes and a growing focus on no net loss (NNL) and net gain (NG) objectives.

As a result, companies are increasingly being asked not only how they reduce impacts, but also how they demonstrate positive outcomes for nature over time. This requires moving beyond high-level commitments and towards measurable, positive biodiversity outcomes that can be assessed, monitored and reported against clear objectives. Companies must also consider building resilience into their nature ambitions, supporting habitats and local species to withstand and recover from climate events and changing weather patterns.

This shift is reflected in emerging approaches such as the Nature Positive Initiative (NPI), the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and guidance from the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).

Biodiversity considerations are most effective when integrated early in mining project development. A mine's impact on biodiversity often extends beyond the physical footprint of the operation. Habitat fragmentation, pollution, changes to land use and cumulative pressures from associated infrastructure can affect ecosystems across a wider landscape. Understanding these relationships requires a robust biodiversity baseline and a clear understanding of the habitats, species and ecosystem services that may be affected.

Local species can also be impacted by direct and indirect impacts, through changes in movement, mortality risk or alteration of access to feeding and nesting areas. Developments should consider how impacts could alter species behaviour or disrupt ecological processes within and beyond the mine footprint as early as possible in the development process. Particularly where mines have the potential to impact upon highly-threatened, range-restricted, endemic or keystone/umbrella species.

Early desk studies and site surveys help identify where impacts can be avoided, where they can be minimised and where opportunities for enhancement exist. They also provide the foundation for establishing biodiversity baselines and selecting metrics that can be used to measure progress throughout the life of the mine. Just as importantly, they provide the foundation for setting meaningful biodiversity targets and measuring progress over time.

Habitat-based metrics can provide a robust and consistent measure of biodiversity change and support the setting of meaningful biodiversity metrics. They should also be complemented by species-specific indicators where priority, threatened, range-restricted or disturbance-sensitive species may be affected by development.

The mitigation hierarchy remains a cornerstone of responsible mining, prioritising avoidance, minimisation and restoration before considering offsets.

However, there is increasing focus on how mining projects can move beyond mitigation alone. The conversation is shifting towards how mine sites can contribute to wider ecological recovery. The enhancement of retained habitats, concession areas and buffer zones can strengthen ecological connectivity, improve habitat condition and increase resilience across the landscape. Enhancement measures can support local species, improve ecosystem functionality and contribute to broader biodiversity objectives.

This represents an important shift in perspective. Rather than viewing mine sites as isolated developments, they can be considered part of wider ecological networks that contribute to long-term biodiversity outcomes. This in turn can strengthen climate resilience, as diverse, connected and functioning ecosystems are generally better able to withstand and recover from drought, flooding, erosion and changing temperature or rainfall patterns. For mining projects, protecting habitats, restoring native vegetation and reconnecting habitats can support both ecological recovery and the long-term resilience of landscapes and ecosystems.

Biodiversity and the licence to operate

Biodiversity is increasingly becoming a business issue as well as an environmental one.
Governments are exploring biodiversity gain and offsetting requirements, investors are incorporating nature-related risks into decision-making, and communities are placing greater importance on how mining projects affect local ecosystems and ecosystem services.

Investors, regulators and communities are also placing increasing emphasis on transparency and accountability. Mining companies are increasingly expected to demonstrate not only that biodiversity risks are being managed, but that biodiversity outcomes are being measured and tracked over time. Robust metrics and long-term monitoring are important tools for demonstrating progress towards NNL and NG objectives.

At the same time, maintaining a social licence to operate depends on meaningful engagement with affected communities and rights-holders, including Indigenous peoples and local communities. Recognising local knowledge, rights and benefits is becoming an increasingly important part of successful project delivery.

As expectations continue to evolve, mining companies that integrate biodiversity into planning, design, operations and closure planning will be better positioned to reduce risk, meet stakeholder expectations and demonstrate measurable outcomes for nature.

Ramboll helps mining companies integrate biodiversity considerations throughout the project lifecycle, from early-stage planning and baseline assessments through to implementation, monitoring and long-term management.

Our specialists support clients with biodiversity risk assessments, baseline surveys, impact assessments, application of the mitigation hierarchy, biodiversity target setting, habitat restoration and enhancement strategies, approaches to achieving NNL and NG objectives, and biodiversity monitoring. We also help clients navigate evolving regulatory requirements, investor expectations and nature-related reporting frameworks.

By combining biodiversity expertise with mine planning, water, environmental and permitting capabilities, we help clients understand risks, identify opportunities and develop practical solutions that support both project objectives and biodiversity outcomes.

*Source: ICMM’s Achieving No Net Loss or Net Gain of Biodiversity: Good Practice Guide