ERMines project: protecting plant species in mining areas
The ERMines project, a partnership between the Institute for Research for Development (IRD), the New Caledonian Agronomic Institute (IAC), the National Technical Research Center (CNRT), and the Endemia association, aims to list and protect rare plant species present in the mining areas of New Caledonia. Researchers have completed a report after the first year.
New Caledonia is an exceptional land in terms of flora and fauna. More than 3.400 species of plants are recorded on the archipelago, three quarters of which are endemic. Discoveries and research since the end of the 19th century have developed a database of more than 56.000 specimens, kept together in the herbarium of New Caledonia and Paris. This data doesn’t cease to increase as new species are discovered every month on the Caillou.
Started in summer 2019 for a period of three years, this program, with a total cost of 20 million CFP (€ 170.000) is funded by the miners, via the National Center for Technical Research. It focuses on the species present in the mining sites of the territory.
Seventeen mining areas, representing 3100 km², are being studied. This area represents a fifth of the Caledonian territory. At the end of the project, a complete list will be drawn up by the researchers and sent to the institutions of environmental protection and regulation. This work will allow mining operators to learn about the endangered species that must be protected as a priority.