– Metals Economics Group (MEG) and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre are pleased to partner to provide information for mining companies on their proximity to national parks and other internationally vital protected areas. This valuable new data layer in MEG’s online service will increase awareness within the sector about biodiversity conservation, providing additional context to mining-related development and investment.

Areas included in the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) are showed on satellite and terrain maps within MEG’s MineSearch— the most extensive and reliable online global mining project and company database.

Protected area information maintained by the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre  is highlighted in a new MineSearch map layer.

“We are delighted UNEP-WCMC is providing up-to-date information on protected areas to add vital context to MEG’s services”, says Dominique di Gesu, COO, Metals Economics Group, “at a time when mining companies and investors are devoting considerable thought to a diversity of social issues ranging from land and water use to environmental impact and protection.

The WDPA is the most comprehensive global spatial dataset on marine and terrestrial protected areas available. “The mining sector has a compelling need for this information,” comments Jon Hutton, Director, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. “Companies need to know protected areas better for their risk analysis and plotting as some of these places are ‘no-go’ zones for drilling and other forms of development.”

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The MineSearch client community includes the majority of large global mining companies, banks, investment and fund managers, as well as smaller mining companies focused on growth, service and equipment providers, governments, and consultants. MineSearch is available by subscription through Metals Economics Group. For more information, email sales@metalseconomics.com, or visit the MEG web site at www.metalseconomics.com.

Metals Economics Group (MEG) is the most trusted source of global mining information and analysis. From worldwide exploration, development, and production to strategic plotting and acquisitions—our experienced and knowledgeable researchers and analysts provide the highest-quality services to all facets of the industry. MEG services are the foundation for confident growth decisions—allowing users to quickly gain efficiencies through simple-to-use online databases, and by accessing credible, reliable research for clearer insights and better decisions.

(www.unep-wcmc.org)

UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. The UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre is an internationally recognized Centre of Excellence for the synthesis, analysis, and dissemination of global diversity knowledge, providing authoritative, strategic, and timely information for conventions, countries, and companies to use in the development and implementation of their policies and decisions.