Responsible Mining for Richer Ecosystems: B2Gold’s Biodiversity Commitment
B2Gold’s operations span a uniquely diverse range of ecosystems. We work across multiple continents, from the subtropical and semi-arid savanna and shrubland of west and southern Africa to the tropical forests of the Philippines and the frozen tundra of Nunavut, Canada.
With this in mind, biodiversity is built into our responsible mining and sustainable-development activities at the policy level – and we’re committed to biodiversity conservation in our areas of operation and influence. Our Environmental and Biodiversity Policy addresses the key environmental risks our business faces and our commitments in these areas.
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What is Biodiversity and Why Does it Matter?
Biodiversity encompasses all interconnected aspects of life on earth, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, and the ecosystems they inhabit. It is fundamental to our planet’s health and stability, providing numerous benefits essential for human well-being and the functioning of ecosystems.
Beyond its ecological significance, biodiversity can hold immense cultural, social, and economic value. Often intertwined with Indigenous traditions, identities and livelihoods, it shapes cultural practices, food systems and traditional knowledge.
Despite all of this, human activities have altered ecosystems and caused a loss of biodiversity around the world. As the world begins to collectively recognize the significance of this loss, governments, businesses and nonprofits are increasingly working together to find innovative solutions – and B2Gold is committed to playing a proactive role in these efforts.
Biodiversity and ecosystem considerations are included in all of our Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, conducted at our operations prior to construction. Where impacts to priority biodiversity values are identified, our operations are required to develop, implement, communicate and adhere to a biodiversity action and/or management plan.
Through the application of sound mitigation measures, we aim to minimize impacts and build long-term management strategies that deliver sustainable conservation outcomes.
B2Gold’s Priority Biodiversity Values
Each of our operations have placed “priority biodiversity value” on certain at-risk species in their respective regions, and have developed, or are developing, conservation strategies aimed at promoting the longevity and viability of these values near our operations.
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Chimpanzee Habitat, Biodiversity Awareness and More: Fekola Gold Mine, Mali
Our Fekola Mine in Mali maintains and implements a detailed Biodiversity Risk Management Strategy. This includes a suite of programs and elements: land use assessment of chimpanzee habitat to assess conflicts and opportunities, delivery of a biodiversity awareness-raising program with affected communities, establishment of an Advisory Technical Biodiversity Panel and funding of an ecology bursary program supporting student research projects.
Our Fekola team also recently gained acclaim for hosting Mali’s first Biodiversity Symposium, in collaboration with the national Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Sustainable Development of Environment and Ministry of Mines. This wide-reaching event promoted discussion around biodiversity initiatives across the country.
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Forest and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Masbate Gold Project, Philippines
The Masbate Gold Project supports the coastal management plans of its host municipality of Aroroy – with ongoing mangrove reforestation, coral reef rehabilitation, and resource management activities. Through the end of 2022, the program planted more than 1.6 million mangroves, covering 360 hectares.
As part of the coral reef rehabilitation program, more than 2,900 Reef Balls, or artificial reef structures, have been installed in the nearby Colorada Point marine area since the commencement of the program, and more than 40,000 coral transplants have been propagated.
Masbate also conducts terrestrial biodiversity-preservation work, including progressive rehabilitation and biodiversity assessments. Dry- and wet-season flora and fauna inventories and assessments were conducted in 2022 to evaluate the ecological diversity and status of terrestrial flora and fauna within the mine site. This baseline information was used to develop a Biodiversity Management Plan to strengthen the protection and conservation of species.
Recently, our conservation efforts at Masbate resulted in national recognition – of our contribution toward a national reforestation program in mined areas. This includes a trial agroforestry project at the mine’s Syndicate Waste Rock Dump and operation of a two-hectare plant nursery.
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Indigenous Tree Nurseries and Site Greening: Otjikoto Mine, Namibia
At our Otjikoto Mine in Namibia, invasive-species eradication is a priority, to minimize potential threats to biodiversity. Transplanting indigenous species is another method our team is employing to encourage indigenous growth, progressive vegetation and ecological succession.
The award-winning Otjikoto Rehabilitation Nursery has become a vital resource in this effort, supplying approximately 3,350 transplanted trees since 2020. This work is enhancing the functionality and sustainability of areas disturbed by project work, paving the way for a future successful ecological restoration at Otjikoto.
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Arctic Char Habitat Preservation: Back River Gold Project, Nunavut, Canada
At our recently acquired Back River Gold Project, Arctic Char habitat conservation is a key priority. The fish, an important food source for local Inuit people, once thrived in nearby Bernard Harbour, but a decline had been recorded in previous years. When B2Gold acquired the Back River gold district last year, we inherited – and agreed to maintain – a partnership with the local Kugluktuk hunters and trappers organization (HTO) to restore and monitor the fish habitat of Nulahugyuk Creek as a project offset, ultimately boosting the productivity of the Arctic char fishery. Through this novel initiative, Inuit have regained an important and healthy Aboriginal fishery and sustainable food source for their community.
The Future of Responsible Mining and Biodiversity
By integrating biodiversity considerations into our operations, B2Gold is effectively contributing to the conservation of ecosystems, supporting local communities and upholding our commitment to sustainability – learn more in our latest Responsible Mining Report.