Working on projects with Rio Tinto business units.... |
Vegetation mapping and management in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Kew and its Brazilian partners undertook the first detailed vegetation survey and mapping of the Morraria de Santa Cruz in March 2005. This impressive ironstone mountain rises from the edge of the internationally important Pantanal wetlands. The purpose of the survey was to provide baseline information on the vegetation of the mountain for improved management of this large open-cast iron ore mine operated by Mineração Corumbaense Reunida, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto.
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Satellite image of the Morraria de Santa Cruz
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Botanical inventory and vegetation mapping of Simandou, Guinea-Conakry
With its valuable iron ore deposits this is a priority site for extraction by the Rio Tinto Iron Ore group. The company requested Kew to undertake a thorough botanical survey and vegetation mapping analysis to help guide mine design. The scientists collected no less than 1467 specimens in the 15 days spent in the field in November 2005. A number of interesting species have been discovered with possibly a few new to science.
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Pic de Fon, Simandou
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Conservation, restoration and sustainable utilisation of littoral forest in Madagascar
Kew is involved in a number of different activities with QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM), the Rio Tinto subsidiary, which is developing an ilmenite mine in the south west of Madagascar. These include; seed conservation to aid restoration activities developing a field guide to the littoral forest; and reviewing opportunities to establish income generating horticultural activities with local communities.
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QMM botanist planting a seedling of Eligomocarpus cynametroides, a very rare species found on the mine concession
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Red list assessments and seed conservation in Namibia
The National Botanical Research Institute of Namibia, with the support of Kew, is undertaking a national assessment of some species of plants found at Rossing Uranium Mine to increase the knowledge of their distribution and conservation status - a priority for their conservation and management. Seed from these species will be collected and banked, both in Namibia and at Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank in the UK, making them available in the future for restoration efforts.
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Markers showing the location of Lithops ruschiorum
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Situation analysis for Rio Tinto Borax, Salar d’Uyuni, Bolivia
Rio Tinto Borax is currently engaged in a project in the southern margin of the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat (12106 sq km), sitting at an altitude of 3653m in south-western Bolivia. This area is a centre of salt extraction and processing in addition to a major tourist destination. Kew recently visited the site, collected plant specimens and provided Rio Tinto Borax with a brief situation analysis and associated recommendations. It is hoped this model of working can be replicated with other Rio Tinto developing projects in the future.
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Salar d'Uyuni, Bolivia
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