Biodiversity

Mining interacts closely with the natural environment. Harmony is committed to protecting and restoring biodiversity by avoiding sensitive areas, minimising impacts during operations, and rehabilitating land to support healthy, resilient ecosystems long after mining ends.

Protecting high biodiversity values

Protecting biodiversity is central to sustainable land use and helps address climate change, reduce pollution and restore land. In our project planning, we seek to avoid or “design out” areas of high biodiversity or environmental sensitivity. We do not conduct operations in declared world heritage sites, national parks or protected areas.

In South Africa, we operate in areas of varied biodiversity. These include our Free State operations in the endangered Vaal-Vet sandy conservation area and the western Free State clay grassland ecosystem. Moab Khotsong, next to the Vaal River in the North West, is also in an area with endangered, vulnerable ecosystems.

With the largest remaining tract of primary forest in the Asia-Pacific area and the third-largest block of intact tropical forest, Papua New Guinea is home to more than 5% of the world’s plant and animal species. Approximately two-thirds of the animals and plants are endemic. During the 2025 biodiversity assessment, no IUCN threatened species, and no new-to-science or otherwise scientifically undescribed species, were recorded on the Hidden Valley mining lease.

Across the Wafi-Golpu project ecological study area, which encompassed the mine area, infrastructure corridor and DSTP outfall location, 15 species of conservation significance were recorded in the wild and a further three NT species were considered to potentially or likely occur.

In Australia, the Knapdale Range on the Eva Copper site provides a habitat for significant mammal and reptile species, including the vulnerable (Queensland level) purple-necked rock wallaby. Other mammal and bird species of Queensland conservation significance that are known or may occur at the project site.

For details on the significant flora and fauna species found within our licensed mining areas see the 2025 sustainability data tables.

Implementing biodiversity protection initiatives

Our environmental management approach includes active biodiversity measures, such as invasive species management and fauna spotter-catcher protocols, alongside ongoing monitoring programmes, including air quality, water and noise to manage exploration and operational impacts. Our conditions of approval outline specific requirements for each site.

Across our portfolio, the diversity of ecosystem conditions (from highly disturbed areas to largely intact natural environments with ecologically sensitive features) and the variety of land-ownership models (including Harmony-owned land, third-party leases, customary tenure and areas with recognised native title interests) create context-specific risks, opportunities, engagement and collaboration requirements. These factors shape the development of region-specific biodiversity roadmaps and support the articulation of clear, enterprise-wide ambitions for biodiversity.

Revegetating land alongside mining

We implement progressive/concurrent rehabilitation. Rehabilitating and replanting disturbed land encourage the return of plant and animal life, reduces soil erosion and dust fallout while contributing to our long-term decarbonisation goals.

We conduct assessments on the viability of different plant species, including the growth rates and carbon absorption potential, to provide insights for increasing the impact of planting. In FY25, we completed dryland grassing of five rehabilitation sites covering 70.18ha in South Africa.

At Hidden Valley, where elevation is high (2 600m above sea level) and plant growth rates are slow, species selection is critical for successful revegetation. Nurseries are located at different elevations facilitate the study of plant growth under varying conditions and soil types.

Delivering meaningful biodiversity outcomes after mining

In our closure planning, we seek to support resilient ecosystems post mining. This includes stabilised landforms using locally appropriate native species that are complementary to selected post-mining land uses. We are assessing the current and future impacts of our company’s growth to inform roadmaps to enhance biodiversity outcomes.

We demolish, decommission and seal shafts while rehabilitating broader footprints (former plants and ancillary service infrastructure), where possible. These activities prevent further environmental degradation and protect host communities from criminal activities associated with illegal mining.

Closure planning studies at Hidden Valley are focused on improving response strategies for biophysical, decommissioning and socio-economic risks while for Eva Copper, engagement with the Queensland Government, advancing us towards regulatory approval of the progressive rehabilitation and closure plan.

Collaboration and partnerships

Our biodiversity management efforts benefit from and support work by other stakeholders, including NGOs, communities and government departments.

In South Africa, Harmony, in conjunction with the Endangered Wildlife Trust and other biodiversity specialists, is conducting assessments aimed at determining the population density of a certain vulnerable species while working with surrounding landowners to protecting the species from harmful human interaction; poaching and illegal trafficking.