Nordgold Completes Biodiversity Monitoring in Gross Region
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences completed extensive biodiversity analysis and monitoring programme in the Gross Region
- Nordgold currently operates two mines in the Gross Region (Gross and Taborny) with a third project (Tokko) currently in the feasibility stage
- The Institute provided a baseline analysis of the entire flora and fauna in the region
- Results will be used as the basis for the creation of a new holistic Biodiversity Management Plan
London, United Kingdom, 9 February 2022 — Nord Gold plc («Nordgold« or the »Company«), the internationally diversified gold producer, announces that, as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening the Company’s overall ESG performance and in line with its Biodiversity Statement, an extensive biodiversity monitoring programme in the Gross Region in the southwest of the Russian Federation’s Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) has been completed by the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (the «Institute»).
The programme which was launched in July 2021 included a field survey in the region, where Nordgold currently operates two mines (Gross and Taborny) and a development project (Tokko), followed by a desk-based analysis of field monitoring results.
As a result, the Institute’s scientists produced a comprehensive biodiversity monitoring report, which provides:
- A detailed analysis of the current state of flora and fauna in the area;
- A current assessment of flora and fauna species included in the Russian Federation’s (and regional) Red Data List of endangered species;
- Identification of current key biodiversity monitoring sites;
- A series of recommendations to reduce the environmental impact of the operations on local biodiversity.
This project, along with information gathered during previous environmental impact assessment, will lay the foundation for a new Biodiversity Management Plan and a long-term biodiversity conservation project in the region, which will enhance environmental initiatives that we already carry out in the region.
The Gross Region biodiversity monitoring project is one of a number of initiatives launched by Nordgold in Russia that includes a series of other environmental programmes, not least Nordgold’s long standing sponsorship of the Snow Leopard foundation which seeks to safeguard the population of these rare and beautiful beasts. The Gross and Taborny mines support the annual release of over 400,000 juvenile fish to lakes and rivers of Yakutia as the repopulation of fish has a significant benefit to the health of the local water systems. The Gross mine has also been realising a large scale reforestation programme in Yakutia with over 200 hectares to be covered in 2021-2022.
"Acting responsibly in order to protect the environment around us is our modus operandi. In order to protect the local flora and fauna, it is vital that we understand what we are dealing with and how effective our biodiversity conservation projects are; systematic biodiversity monitoring does just that. I am pleased that we can now use the report’s recommendations to enhance the protection of local biodiversity in the Gross region and we look forward to developing our new long-term Biodiversity Management Plan."
Evgeny TulubenskyChief Legal Officer and Director of ESG
About Gross
Gross Region is a world class, highly prospective region in the southwestern part of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in Russia. The Region includes Gross, as well as the Taborny mine and the Tokko project and represents a solid foundation of current performance and future low cost growth for Nordgold. The region supports more than 2,000 jobs.
About Nordgold
Nordgold is an internationally diversified one million ounce gold producer with about 7,800 people operating a portfolio of nine mines (in Russia, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Kazakhstan) and a number of development and exploration projects in Russia, West Africa and the Americas. Since its foundation in 2007, Nordgold has established a global reputation as a leading developer of tier one gold mining assets with a proven commitment to community engagement, sustainability, efficiency and operating in an environmentally responsible manner. Since 2013, Nordgold has successfully constructed three gold mines, including two in Burkina Faso (Bouly and Bissa) and most recently, the Gross mine in Russia.
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