Hellas Gold: Protection and Enhancement of Biodiversity in NE Halkidiki
21.05.24
The company implements a Biodiversity Management Plan with various actions aimed at protecting flora and fauna for all activities of Hellas Gold, involving both employees and contractors participating in project activities.
The biodiversity of the Halkidiki peninsula is particularly rich and supports many endemic, rare, and specially protected plants and animals, as well as habitats. Hellas Gold has been systematically monitoring biodiversity in the area since 2010 with the assistance of specialists such as botanists, ornithologists, zoologists, herpetologists, and entomologists.
Furthermore, we implement a multitude of actions focused on protecting and enhancing biodiversity, including the management of significant and alien plants, as well as wild animals. We also support the study of marine life, having established an extensive Environmental Monitoring System, within which a Biodiversity Management Plan is implemented, and ecological studies are conducted every three years.
Protection of local flora and fauna
Regarding flora, we conduct a survey and protection of the most important plants growing in the area, while measures are taken to prevent the spread of alien plants. As for wildlife management, the actions include rescuing wild animals that may be encountered within the facilities of the mine, using markers on new high-voltage power lines and constructing artificial bat and bird nests in the broader area of the project and beyond.
Information & awareness
In addition to informing and raising awareness among employees, such as continuous training of scientific and technical staff to strengthen awareness of environmental issues and training on the biodiversity of the area, which is done by all employees and contractors, the Environmental Department of our company has created a bilingual Flora & Fauna Photographic Guide.
The photographic guide is organized in nine sections: 1. Alien invasive plants 2. Important plants 3. Medium and large mammals 4. Small mammals 5. Lizards 6. Snakes 7. Amphibians 8. Woodpeckers 9. Invertebrates
The aim of the photographic guide is to guide employees to discover useful information and actively participate in the conservation and enhancement of the flora and fauna of the region.
