Promoting biodiversity net gain in north-eastern Suriname
In March 2024, a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Review Technical Team visited the Merian mine site in northeastern Suriname. The site is located at approximately 175 kilometres southeast from Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, near the French Guiana border.
The key objectives of the IUCN review were to:
- Review Newmont Merian’s biodiversity programmes and provide recommendations for improvement and future direction;
- Identify risks and opportunities associated with the biodiversity management activities and the land offset management program; and
- Provide a learning platform for the IUCN/Newmont relationship
Proposed recommendations
During the IUCN-led review in March 2024, several recommendations were proposed, including the following
considered as highest priority:
- Develop an overarching No Net Loss (NNL) strategy
- Manage invasive species
- Develop a topsoil management plan
- Foster restoration-focused community enterprises.
Summary and Path Forward
Independent reviews such as this are important for the success of the biodiversity offset project and improvement
of conservation approaches. While the above recommendations do not constitute formal audit findings, this review
documents lessons learned, providing invaluable markers for conservation leaders and biodiversity specialists at
mining companies.
The path forward and next steps are explained in the Review, downloadable here at the link above right.