Nature After Minerals works with mineral operating companies and other stakeholders to get the very most out of mineral site restoration for biodiversity and for people.

Since 2010, we have engaged with over 40 mineral sites, giving over 3,600 ha worth of priority habitat restoration advice to the industry and other key stakeholders. A range of restoration information has been produced to provide best-practice guidance for mineral industry stakeholders on habitat creation and specific enhancement for priority species.

To make space for nature we need more, bigger, better and joined up sites to create a sustainable, resilient and more effective ecological network (for England).

Prof Sir John Lawton CBE FRS, Making Space for Nature: A review of England’s Wildlife Sites and Ecological Network (2010)

A selection of specific projects that NAM has engaged with include:

  • Bespoke project management of discrete restoration features – for example, the use of green hay as a restoration technique and the creation of an artificial otter holt
  • Responding to planning application consultations: providing expertise in how to improve restoration plans that have been submitted as part of the planning process
  • Bringing together a range of stakeholders to identify suitable restoration end-uses for sites submitted to mineral planning authorities at the Site Allocations stage of the Mineral Plan development process
  • Provision of training events to mineral industry stakeholders on different aspects of restoration – through presentations, discussions, networking and site visits.
  • Assisting mineral operating companies with their Corporate Biodiversity Strategies.

For further information on restoration advice offered by NAM, go to:

Advice sheets
Case studies
Training