Upcoming webinar: Permit-proof nature data for mining & extractives | Wed 25th Nov, 1pm | Sign up now

Mining & Extractives

Access the biodiversity intelligence you need to secure permits, cut closure costs, and meet IFC PS6 baselines.

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Upcoming webinar

Permit-proof nature data for mining & extractives

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Over 200 mining projects globally use NatureMetrics solutions

RambollTescoNatural PowerMSCNatural PowerCargillWSPEDF Renewables

Why nature evidence matters in mining & extractives

For mining and extractives, biodiversity has become a bankability issue. Permitting hinges on IFC PS6-aligned baselines and TNFD disclosure; lenders and auditors expect data that's credible and repeatable, and closure obligations create long-term liabilities that begin with the survey commissioned today.

A comprehensive baseline, not a partial snapshot, is what still holds up years later at closure and under lender review. Operators moving early treat nature evidence as a way to de-risk permits, protect the water and ecosystems their mine depends on, and safeguard market access as buyers increasingly demand traceable, sustainably sourced minerals — satisfying financiers, shareholders and end-users alike.

"When a biodiversity incident happens at your site, you need to be able to respond with real data and honesty, not avoidance or uncertainty. This isn't just about getting a permit approved, it's about having data you can stand behind for the life of the asset"

Dr Vere Ross-Gillespie

Over 6 years leading Mining & Extractives at NatureMetrics

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Our clients' impact, in numbers

40-70%

lower environmental cost than multi-season survey campaigns

6-24mths

permitting time brought forward with a defensible baseline

4-12wks

typical time to full cost recovery after deployment

A week of lost production can exceed the lifetime cost of nature evidence

Permitting delays erode net present value, and the cost of a biodiversity-driven disruption dwarfs the price of the evidence that prevents it. For any operator managing significant in-situ value, credible nature evidence is among the highest-return environmental investments available.

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Nature evidence across the full mine lifecycle

From first screening to final relinquishment. One evidence base, every stage.

1

Explore

Screen portfolio, prospects and legacy sites for protected species, habitat sensitivity and water-catchment stress.

2

EIA & permit and operational licenses

IFC PS6-aligned, audit-ready baselines that satisfy regulators and lenders and cut months from permit timelines.

3

Construct

Water and soil sampling replaces hazardous field surveys, reducing safety risk on active sites. Access ecosystem condition scores with our ECI suite.

4

Operate

Auditable early-warning signals on tailings and downstream water, with ongoing risk tracking across the portfolio.

5

Progressively rehabilitate

Track recovery against your baseline as rehabilitation progresses, with metrics comparable site to site.

6

Close & relinquish

Verified recovery evidence to meet closure criteria, release bonds and reduce long-term liability.

How NatureMetrics can help

The applications where nature evidence changes the outcome in mining & extractives.

Safer monitoring in remote sites with upskilling of teams

Replace hazardous field surveys with water and soil sampling, reducing safety risk in remote and sensitive locations.

Closure requirements & reclamation

Biomonitoring of diversity associated with Aquatic and Terrestrial habitats using Aquatic, Soil and AirDNA combined with habitat insights.

Critical & invasive species detection

Detect critical and invasive species across sites and mineral supply chains, feeding directly into Biodiversity Action Plan design and delivery.

Mine closure & reclamation

Verified, comparable recovery evidence to meet closure criteria and reduce long-term liability. Measure and monitor ecological recovery against closure criteria.

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New data layer: Global Nature Risk

Build on your eDNA baseline with a 0-1 nature risk score per site. Avoid permit revocation and project delays from noise, water quality and ecosystem condition triggers with year-on-year portfolio tracking and sustainability reporting.

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Solutions for the mining sector

Person filling out a form while holding a handheld GPS device outdoors.

eDNA monitoring

Species-level detection from water and soil, replacing hazardous field surveys and catching cryptic species traditional methods miss.

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Graph showing vegetation health decline from 2016 to 2024 with a value of 0.70, down 8.4% since 2016.

Species & habitat insights

Comparable, standardised metrics from site to landscape, to benchmark across a global asset base and track recovery.

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Nature strategy & advisory

Critical habitat assessment, mitigation hierarchy and offsetting, and Biodiversity Action Plans — aligned to TNFD, CSRD, GRI, IFC PS6, Equator Principles and ICMM.

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Find out why more than 600 organisations in 126 countries choose NatureMetrics as their nature intelligence partner.