Biodiversity
Tacora recognizes that biodiversity protection provides a continuous relationship with nature and the communities of interest (COI). Efforts to protect biodiversity contribute greatly to the suite of ecosystem services providing benefits to all people, such as the provision of freshwater, nutrient-cycling, wild foods, soil creation, recreational opportunities, and spiritual benefits. Biodiversity also has intrinsic value. It represents nature functioning as it should, with native species present and ever evolving, and with an inherent right to continued existence.
Tacora contributes to biodiversity protection through biodiversity condition assessment, habitat degradation mitigation and progressive habitat restoration.
Tacora is dedicated to minimizing, mitigating and rehabilitating any effects that operations at Scully Mine my have on local ecosystems. Ecosystem conservation is critical to biodiversity. Fish are a valued ecological component (VEC) to the communities of interest (COI) in the Labrador West Region resulting in the adoption of three key fish habitat protection strategies.
Tacora’s commitment to fish habitat compensation goes beyond existing waterbodies within the mine’s area of operation.
- Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) ensures freshwater environments are protected from negative impacts associated with surface runoff
- Baseline Habitat Assessments evaluates how our activities will affect local fish species
- Fish Rescue operates as a relocation plan to move species to pristine environments when waters become unsuitable
Tacora’s commitment to fish and fish habitat compensation and protection goes beyond existing waterbodies. To date, we have constructed new fish habitat for Flora Riverine and its extension project Hay Riverine, and the Loon Lake extension and enhancement projects.
Tacora is also committed to protecting and conserving the Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia), an insectivorous, migratory bird Species at Risk that may colonize sandy banks in the mine. The Bank Swallow is protected federally on the Species at Risk Act (SARA) registry and under the provincial Endangered Species Act. Beginning in 2024, the team implemented a monitoring and mitigation plan that included:
- The identification of vertical banks that were at elevated risk for nesting (for removal prior to nesting season)
- A monitoring program to identify any Bank Swallow burrows that were established (for avoidance)
- The creation of artificial nesting structures to entice nesting in safer areas away from mining activity
In addition, a Tree Swallow nest box program was established in revegetated areas around the tailings, a program that has experienced great success in attracting nesting swallows. Tailings revegetation efforts are ongoing annually, with a progressive approach of incorporating native plant biodiversity and soil enhancements. The end goal is to establish a functioning ecosystem resembling those in the natural landscape.
