Restore: bringing nature back through land rehabilitation (4/5)
From a volcanic island in Greece to a forest in Austria, we adapt to the unique local climatic conditions of each site with the same objective: to bring nature back by restoring our quarries.
When our impacts on nature cannot be completely avoided or minimized, the third step of the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy aims at repairing what extractive activities are altering.
Actively helping ecosystems recover and thrive
Restoration is about repairing some of the natural processes in an environment we’ve altered to help it function again. While the earlier steps of the mitigation hierarchy, "avoid" and "minimize," focus on preventing damage, restoration addresses the impacts that have already occurred, helping ecosystems recover and thrive.
Our approach
- Planning restoration measures from the very start of the project design, based on the state of biodiversity on-site before any activity begins.
- Developing tailored action plans for each site, considering local conditions and activities.
- Partnering with biodiversity experts to improve methods.
- Implementing actions as soon as possible after any disturbance, often alongside ongoing extraction activities where possible, and at the end of operations.
- Using proven restoration techniques.
- Monitoring our progress to make adjustments and ensure effectiveness.
How we restore nature: actions across our sites
Recreating ecosystems in Milos, Greece
On the island of Milos in Greece, restoration goes beyond planting trees. We try to recreate dynamic ecosystems with endemic local species that can thrive. We take into account the island’s challenging climate conditions: drought, salinity and high temperatures.
Our approach includes :
- Reshaping landscapes to blend with the natural environment.
- Enriching soil quality with nutrients.
- Planting native species grown in our on-site nursery.
- Monitoring plant growth for 3 to 5 years before returning the land to nature.
Developing a nature-based solution: Symbiosis
We collaborate closely with biodiversity experts like PatriNat and the Agricultural University of Athens. We’ve developed with the University a nature-based solution, Symbiosis, where bacteria are introduced to plant roots, helping to strengthen them and increase their ability to thrive in difficult environments.
For me, Milos is not just a place of extraction. I was born on nearby Kimolos island and grew up exploring these landscapes. I take care of this land as if it were my own home.
Because a picture is worth a thousand words, watch Milos’ biodiversity team bring nature back to mine step by step:
Progressive restoration in Rabenwald, Austria
Restoration is often done at the end of a project. But in some cases, it can take place during operations: this is called progressive restoration. This is what we do at our Rabenwald quarry in Austria. Here, restoration happens continuously during mining operations using two different techniques: recultivation and renaturation.
Recultivation
Definition: Previously used approach. Actively planting monoculture species.
Results after 12 years:
- Rapid forest growth
- Low species diversity
Renaturation
Definition: Currently the preferred approach. Allowing vegetation to regenerate naturally.
Results after 12 years:
- Slower growth
- Greater species diversity and climate-resilient plants
- Better soil conditions
In total, over 12,000 trees have been planted in the last few years, carefully selecting local species adapted to the climate in collaboration with experts.
It is crucial to think about the future - about what happens with a mining area once operations are finished. The decisions we make today will impact the fauna and flora of tomorrow.
Restoration: a commitment to nature and local communities
In addition to bringing nature back to our sites, restoration also benefits local communities:
In Milos, Greece, a former perlite mine was transformed into over 20 hectares of vineyards, creating local jobs. A botanical trail was also built for schools and tourists.
In Cornwall, UK, a 40km trail allows locals and visitors to explore restored landscapes and learn about their role in nature conservation.
In Ranong, Thailand, the "Seedling Bank Project" involves local villagers in collecting and selling native plants for restoration of Imerys areas, providing both income and conservation benefits.
1 hectare = 10,000 m² (about 1.5 soccer fields).
Not only. Soil is an essential natural resource, containing micro-organisms, seeds and nutrients essential to biodiversity. When a quarry is opened, we remove the soil and store it carefully according to precise criteria to preserve its qualities. This soil is then reused during rehabilitation, maintaining a soil quality adapted to the local ecological context.
- Our commitment: towards no net loss of biodiversity.
- Using the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy to prioritize our actions.
- Working with experts to develop an approach based on science.
- Addressing our main impact, biodiversity habitat degradation, on 20 priority extraction sites.
Find out more in this article.
The management of biodiversity is a complex topic because of the inherent intertwined interconnections within nature. It creates another challenge: there is no standardized method or single indicator to measure biodiversity. There are, however, recognized tools to manage ecological impacts. Mitigation hierarchy is a widely used scientific approach that aims to limit the negative impact on biodiversity based on a step methodology of avoiding, minimizing, restoring and finally offsetting the impact. The biodiversity mitigation hierarchy is the cornerstone of our biodiversity policy.
Discover how we’re working towards no net loss of biodiversity:
In this third article of our biodiversity campaign, we move on to the second step of the mitigation hierarchy: Minimization. This step of the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy, focuses on reducing residual impacts throughout the lifecycle of our projects. By combining scientific expertise, local adaptation, and employee engagement, Imerys is actively working to minimize its impact on natural heritage. From protecting peregrine falcons in the United Kingdom (UK) to managing invasive species in Thailand, our teams around the world are taking actions to safeguard biodiversity.
To preserve natural heritage, it is essential to anticipate and limit impacts right from the project design phase. This involves rigorous analysis of the ecological context and the implementation of appropriate measures to minimize our footprint on ecosystems.
In the previous article, we presented our commitments, strategy, protocols and tools built with scientific experts and deployed across the Group to help protect biodiversity. For this second article, we talk about the first and crucial stage of the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy.
More than ever, we must act to preserve our endangered natural heritage, as highlighted during the United Nations COP 16 on Biological Diversity held from October 21 to November 1 2024 in Cali, Colombia. At Imerys, we are committed to mitigating the biodiversity loss that our activities can cause. How ? We tell you all about it in our first voluntary Biodiversity Report, from our commitments to our scientific approach and concrete actions on the ground. Over the coming weeks, a series of articles will showcase how we are turning these commitments into life. Let’s start with the key takeaways from our first-ever voluntary biodiversity report.