The Namaqualand in South Africa contains ecologically sensitive ecosystems with critical value for biodiversity conservation, local livelihoods, eco-tourism and agriculture. Researchers highlight that Namaqualand plant and faunal diversity is particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts and climate change and therefore needs to be at the forefront of the development agenda in the region.

1. IUCN collaborates with private sector partner Black Mountain Mining, Subsidiary
of Vedanta Resources Plc, to develop a Sustainable Biodiversity Management
System in the Namaqualand Region
IUCN collaborates with private sector partner Black Mountain Mining, Subsidiary
of Vedanta Resources Plc, to develop a Sustainable Biodiversity Management
System in the Namaqualand Region
The Namaqualand in South Africa contains ecologically sensitive ecosystems with
critical value for biodiversity conservation, local livelihoods, eco-tourism and agriculture.
Researchers highlight that Namaqualand plant and faunal diversity is particularly
vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts and climate change and therefore needs to be at
the forefront of the development agenda in the region.
Following the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, the South African
Department of Minerals & Energy (DME) initiated a Strategic Framework for Sustainable
Development in The Mining Sector. The framework envisioned that by 2010 the South
African minerals and petroleum sector would be able to contribute optimally to
sustainable development through sustainable and responsible mining. To achieve this
vision; Black Mountain Mining (BMM) Operations, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources
Plc, has partnered with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to
develop a Sustainable Biodiversity Management System at the proposed Gamsberg
zinc mining site in the Northern Cape Province to enhance and diversify rural livelihoods
within the Gamsberg ecosystem and surrounding regions (i.e. Namaqualand) through
support to green enterprise development and innovative biodiversity and livelihood
options and technologies.
Under the aegis of this partnership an Independent Review Panel (IRP) with leading
experts in the field of environment, biodiversity and environmental law has been set up
to provide advice on programmes that will avoid, mitigate or offset biodiversity impacts
during operations and at mine closure, to ensure rehabilitation planning and
implementation at Gamsberg and to review and provide technical advice on BMM's
Biodiversity Management System.
A Biodiversity and Livelihoods Coordination Committee (BLCC) has been set up with
former judge A. Gildenhuys as an independent chairperson, to oversee and advise on

2. BMM's corporate social responsibility programmes in Namaqualand. This will be carried
out in collaboration with conservation and development Non-Governmental
Organizations ("NGOs") and community based organisations ("CBOs") operating within
the region.
For more information on IUCN and BMM partnership related activities please visit:
http://www.iucn.org/about/union/secretariat/offices/esaro/what_we_do/biodiversity__eco
nomics_and_business/
For more information contact:
Lael.Walsh@iucn.org (Senior Programme Officer/Manager-IUCN)
LAhuja@blackmountain.co.za (Head Sustainability-Zinc International, Vedanta)