Biodiversity : Initiatives

BMA operates as a responsible miner and ensures that its mine-closure plans meet both social expectations and regulatory requirements for environmental rehabilitation. In addition to complying with all relevant laws, BMA strives to minimize environmental and community impacts by developing appropriate closure plans and implementing rehabilitation projects informed by environmental impact assessments and expert review. As part of each site’s annual long-term production plan renewal, BMA integrates all necessary rehabilitation and closure costs into its planning and investment models.

Most of BMA’s coal operations are open-cut mines, a method that requires the removal of overburden to depths exceeding 200 meters to access coal seams.

The mining process begins with the removal and stockpiling of topsoil. As BMA’s mines are located in dry tropical regions, the landscape is not heavily forested. Approximately 30-40cm of topsoil is removed and preserved in stockpiles, which are then covered with grass and scrub to maintain soil quality for future rehabilitation. Once this is complete, overburden removal and coal extraction proceed, leaving a large pit. Once the coal has been mined, the overburden—previously placed in spoil dumps—is reshaped and covered with topsoil mixed with rock mulch. Indigenous grasses, shrubs, and trees are then planted to restore vegetation.

After rehabilitation activities are completed, the site is monitored to ensure landform stability, acceptable water runoff quality, and successful vegetation establishment. BMA engages ecological specialists throughout planning, rehabilitation, and monitoring stages to oversee and guide the rehabilitation process.