Global Mining Leader Translates Biodiversity Values into Site-Level Action Across 460 Acres

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Environmental ConsultingEnvironmental Consulting

Industry

Mining

Location

United States

Imerys, the world’s leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions, partnered with Trinity Consultants to conduct its first large-scale site-level biodiversity study in the U.S. Trinity’s comprehensive assessment and science-based management plan helped Imerys prioritize biodiversity risks and restoration steps for its 460-acre Quincy, Washington site — aligning environmental action with operational priorities and broader sustainability goals.

 

Challenge

Imerys wanted to assess biodiversity risks at the Quincy site, however there was not an established regulatory framework to follow. The site’s flat, arid terrain, which was exposed to high winds and home to a variety of native and invasive species, increased the complexity of the task. Defining what constituted ecological health and determining how to approach restoration required a thoughtful approach and local expertise. This was one of Imerys’ first large-scale, site-level biodiversity assessments in the United States. The company was looking for a partner who could help its teams interpret findings and translate those insights into practical, actionable steps aligned with operational realities and community expectations.

 

Solutions

Trinity began by working with Imerys to clarify project goals and define a tailored scope of work. The team then conducted detailed fieldwork, including ecological surveys, vegetation mapping, and environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to detect low-visibility species. Trinity’s approach remained flexible throughout the process. The team adjusted field plans to navigate access limitations and ensure thorough ecological coverage. Ecologists and strategic sustainability leads collaborated closely to balance scientific integrity with usability. The outcome was a clear, prioritized biodiversity management plan. Trinity used a scoring system to evaluate each mitigation recommendation by ease, urgency, cost, and ecological benefit. This enabled the Imerys team to make informed decisions and allocate resources efficiently.

 

Services Performed

The team performed baseline ecological assessments, including vegetation mapping, species surveys, and eDNA sampling for hard-to-detect species. They conducted biodiversity risk analysis and scoring, developed a biodiversity management plan, and provided operational guidance with training input to support effective implementation.

Results

The assessment provided Imerys with a better understanding of where ecological value was highest, which areas required mitigation, and how to achieve the most impact through restoration efforts. A notable early win came from identifying invasive species in an existing seed mix used for site reclamation. With that insight, Imerys quickly worked with its supplier to revise the mix, making an immediate, measurable improvement. The scoring provided by Trinity also gave Imerys a way to focus on the most impactful next steps. The plan laid the groundwork for a formal biodiversity action plan and guided preparations for a corporate follow-up assessment. The findings are also helping inform environmental training materials for site teams and guiding updates to land management procedures. As Imerys explores how to scale its biodiversity strategy across operations, it can leverage the Trinity framework for use at additional North American locations.

 

460

Acres assessed and mapped

1

Biodiversity plan guiding multi-site action

1

Invasive seed mix replaced for immediate gain