By Esther Wright
As part of its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments, Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG), through its Compliance Unit and Technical Consultants (Research Institute for Sustainable Transitions), has undertaken Biodiversity Assessments at its subsidiaries; Kingho Mining Company (KMC) and Kingho Railway and Port Company (KRP).
Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life on Earth, including plants, animals, insects and microorganisms. This assessment is a regulatory requirement by the Environmental Protection Agency of Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of the extractive industry. Biodiversity offsets ensure that any loss of biodiversity resulting from industrial activities is compensated elsewhere.
KMC’s terrestrial ecosystem is home to exotic species and wildlife, while KRP supports a rich aquatic ecosystem with endemic marine animals and aquatic species.
The Biodiversity Assessment is conducted in two phases: the first involves technical field studies, while the second focuses on the socio-economic concerns of the host communities. This initiative emphasizes the protection of endangered and threatened species while promoting livelihoods, reflecting LRMG’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
