Organisation

The Biodiversity program started in 1990 with the intervention of local and international expert consultants from various disciplines. Subsequently, to meet its commitments, Rio Tinto QMM set up in 1996 a permanent team of local experts in Biodiversity and Natural resources. The team currently includes 70 employees made up of engineers, botanists, biologists, technicians and agents, 80%of whom were recruited locally. The program is integrated into the Community Affairs, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development Department.

Also, an independent Biodiversity Committee whose members come from large international agencies such as   Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, Missouri Botanical Gardens, Fauna and Flora International, World Conservation Society, Hamburg University, etc, issues its opinion on directing strategy and research tasks to be carried out. The Committee meets twice yearly.

Because of the issues identified, the department has been subdivided into four Services:

• Flora Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration Service
• Fauna Biodiversity and Conservation Service
• Rehabilitation Service
• Integrated Sustainable Management Service

Database management is a cross-cutting activity and is managed by the Database and Geographical Information Officer.