BUSINESS: 411 PRACTICES
IMERYS Group is the world leader in mineral-based industrial solutions, offering specialized solutions necessary for its customers. IMERYS INDUSTRIAL MINERALS GREECE SINGLE MEMBER SOCIETE ANONYME mines and processes industrial minerals, mainly bentonite and perlite.
The initiative “From Mining to Biodiversity: Restoring Native, Edible and Endemic Plant Species to the Landscapes of Milos” aims to restore Imerys’ mining areas on Milos, through the removal of invasive species and the reintroduction of native and endemic plants.
The central objective is to enhance local biodiversity and gradually restore the natural balance in restored landscapes, with an emphasis on the long-term resilience of the ecosystem.
At the same time, the initiative incorporates environmental education and local community participation actions, through the collaboration of students and employees in natural environment restoration practices.
The initiative is addressed to:
From 2021 till today.
Imerys' initiative in Milos focuses on restoring mining areas and enhancing local biodiversity, through tackling invasive plant species and reintroducing native, edible and endemic plants.
Since the 1980s, exotic species, such as Carpobrotus acinaciformis, have been used in mine restorations due to their high resistance to drought and adverse conditions. However, with the development of environmental knowledge and restoration practices, it was found that these species compete with local flora and affect the natural balance of the ecosystem. For this reason, since 2021 the company has been implementing a program of systematic removal of invasive species, starting with a pilot project at the Agia Eirini mine, where eradication was successfully completed in May 2022, with safe management of the plant biomass.
The actions continued with the development of a program for the cultivation and reintroduction of native and edible plants, taking into account the richness of the local flora of Milos and the need to preserve it. Species were selected, such as Hymenonema graecum and Scolymus hispanicus, which are adapted to the dry Cycladic environment and contribute to the preservation of the local flora and the traditional nutritional identity of the island. The seeds were collected, cultivated in nurseries and then transplanted to a restored area at the perlite mine of Trachilas.
As part of the overall restoration strategy, the company expanded its actions to the conservation of traditional fig varieties (Ficus carica), one of the oldest cultivated fruit trees, with a significant presence in the history and cultural tradition of the Mediterranean. Despite its timeless importance, fig cultivation in Greece has declined significantly in recent decades, particularly in the Cyclades, where environmental pressures and changes in land use have led to the reduction or loss of local varieties adapted to the dry conditions of the Aegean.
Overall, the initiative links environmental restoration with the preservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage, shaping a modern and sustainable model of coexistence of mining activity, protection of the natural environment and promotion of the special natural identity of Milos.
The positive impact of Imerys' initiative on Milos is reflected in the enhancement of biodiversity and the sustainable restoration of mining areas, through the removal of invasive species and the reintroduction of native, edible, endemic and traditional plant species.
As part of the action, the removal of invasive plants from the restoration areas of the Agia Irini mine was completed, contributing to the restoration of the natural balance of the ecosystem and the protection of the local flora. The initiative to outroot invasive plants from the company's restorations was designed in such a way as to prevent possible re-infestation hotspots either during the eradication or later. This ensures the prolonged protection of the restored area.
At the same time, 100g of seeds were collected from indigenous species of Milos, such as Hymenonema graecum and Scolymus hispanicus, from which approximately 100 new plants emerged, ready for planting in restored areas of the Perlite mine.
The initiative was also extended to the collection, propagation and planting of traditional fig varieties (Ficus carica) from the Cyclades and the Aegean, such as Black Milos, Sour Kimolos and Red Kimolos. In total, at least 11 different varieties were collected and propagated, while more than 100 seedlings were planted in a restored mining area, in collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens, the Institute of Subtropical Plants and Fig Trees of Kalamata and the Adamantas Primary School.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the initiative strengthened environmental awareness and the active participation of the local community, creating a new culture of protection of the natural wealth of Milos.
Restored mines of Imerys in Milos.
In addition to the teachers, the students of Adamas Primary School and their families, volunteers from the company's employees also actively participated in all stages of the project, contributing substantially to the preparation, transportation and planting process of the trees. In addition, students of the Pollonia Kindergarten and Primary School also participated, in collaboration with the employees of Imerys' Environmental Restoration Department.
The initiative substantially strengthens Imerys' sustainability strategy, highlighting an integrated environmental restoration model that combines the mining activity with the protection of biodiversity and local natural heritage.
Through the removal of invasive species, the reintroduction of native, edible and endemic plants and the preservation of traditional fig varieties, the company is actively strengthening its commitment to sustainable management of reclaimed mining lands and the implementation of innovative ecological restoration practices.
At the same time, the initiative contributes to strengthening the company's ESG profile and aligns with Imerys' commitments to biodiversity within the framework of act4nature, enhancing ecosystem restoration, preserving local flora and creating resilient ecosystems in restored mining areas.
Significant benefits also arise at the level of relations with the local community, as the participation of students, residents, scientific bodies and employees strengthens the climate of cooperation and social acceptance of the company in Milos, while at the same time promoting the development of "green" skills and environmental culture among employees.
Indicatively, within the framework of the initiative:
