Metals Economics Group partners with the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre

Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Cambridge, UK, April 19, 2011 – Metals Economics Group (MEG) and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre are pleased to partner to give information and facts for mining businesses on their proximity to national parks and other internationally vital protected areas. This important new data layer in MEG's on-line service will improve awareness inside the sector about biodiversity conservation, delivering further context to mining-connected development and investment.

Places included in the World Database on Protected Places (WDPA) are displayed on satellite and terrain maps inside MEG's MineSearch— the most extensive and reputable internet international mining project and company database.

Protected region data maintained by the UNEP Globe Conservation Monitoring Centre  is highlighted in a new MineSearch map layer.

"We are delighted UNEP-WCMC is offering 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 organisations and investors are devoting considerable thought to a diversity of social problems 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 locations accessible. "The mining sector has a compelling need for this info," comments Jon Hutton, Director, UNEP Globe Conservation Monitoring Centre. "Providers have to have to realize protected places much better for their risk analysis and preparing as some of these places are ‘no-go' zones for drilling and other forms of development."