Elephants in the Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve, a large portion of which is planned to form part of the Transfrontier Peace Park
			Elephants in the Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve, a large portion of which is planned to form part of the Transfrontier Peace Park
			Lezulia Dam on the Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve, a large portion of which is planned to form part of the Transfrontier Peace Park
			Mine Ecologist at De Beers’ Venetia mine takes a water sample at the mine’s freshwater dam as part of the mine’s water conservation efforts

-De Beers - World´s leading diamond mining company
-South African National Parks - SA´s national nature conservation agency. Manages and administers conservation areas of national and international importance.
-Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) - SA based NGO dedicated to the facilitation of Transfrontier Conservation Areas in SADC.
-Adjoining private landowners.

De Beers decided to develop a major conservation area in tandem with the development of the Venetia diamond mine in the Limpopo Province in the late 1980s. De Beers purchased 40 000 ha to establish the Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve to conserve bio-diversity, restore natural ecological processes and develop ecologically and economically viable land use practices so as to provide benefits and opportunities for the Region and its people. De Beers has, in addition, collaborated with adjacent landowners and nature conservation agencies in the development of a greater conservation area and multinational transfrontier ´peace park´ at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers of Southern Africa, spanning the borders of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Economic - Strategies are aimed at directing all facets of business to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) suppliers. The value of business contracts awarded to such SMME suppliers in the community rose from $90 000 in 2000 to $200 000 in 2001. The establishment of a Trans-Frontier Park will generate substantial tourist revenue in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Social - Social investment programmes in the area include an extensive HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, financial support to 12 schools, crèches and pre-schools, the appointment of a professional Business Developer to assist in addressing job creation and poverty alleviation in the district, as well as aiding numerous community development projects.

Environmental - Special attention is being given to the streaming of waste and improving recovery, re-use and recycling of materials on the reserve. Water is a strategic resource and the reduction of water dependency, managing of consumption and limitation/eradication of wastage is high on the management agenda. As the biodiversity of this area´s ecosystem is being restored it is resulting in the continued attraction to the area of species that had previously abandoned it. A number of research projects which will provide a better understanding of and will assist in managing the greater conservation area include: water abstraction effects, baseline monitoring of the impacts of Elephant on the woody vegetation, the rehabilitation of degraded rangeland and grassland, the history and archaeological potential of the reserve and a survey of the rock art of the reserve. The De Beers Sustainability Policy strives to ensure accountability and conduct regular audits to evaluate the effectiveness of sustainability programmes.

The decision that the Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve will be the core portion of South Africa´s part of the proposed Trans-Frontier National Park. Major results to date include the reintroduction to the area of threatened species. The active encouragement and facilitation of archaeological and environmental studies and wildlife research on the reserve. The wide range of ecosystems, vegetation types and diverse wildlife species offer unique opportunities for the study of ecological processes as well as both fauna and flora.

In partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust´s Wilddog Action Group, the Company is presently supporting the re-introduction of a pack of wild dogs into the Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve.

Effective water conservation strategies in the mining operation have reduced water consumption by 45% and increased the volumes of water recycled from operations by 49% over a 5 year period to the end of 2001. Waste to landfill from mining operations has decreased by 48% over the 5 year period to the end of 2001. Creation of a joint venture between conservation and mining - collaborative resource management between the public and private sector. An increase in business contracts being awarded to SMME suppliers in the community (from $90 000 in 2000 to $200 000 in 2001). Recruitment of staff from local communities and the development of employee skills. Company representation on various Management and Steering Committees convened by SA National Parks and representation on the Trilateral Planning Committee. Public meetings, open days and informal discussions have all been hosted on the reserve to raise awareness amongst the local community and advise interested parties as to new developments.

The principle of Trans-Frontier National Parks is certainly replicable among many developing nations.

The restoration of land and the reintroduction of threatened species is also replicable with the cooperation of private business, national governments and environmental NGOs.

The partnerships forged in this project so far are a shining example of public and private sector collaboration in pursuing a sustainable development project of great national significance.

Successful use of some of the benefits of diamond mining in creating sustainable social, environmental and economic opportunities.

Promotion of community based natural resource management.

Protection of bio-diversity and sites of archaeological importance.

Regular communication processes between stakeholders. Adequate representation of interested and affected parties on decision making committees. The importance of environmental management forming an integral part of a company´s operations and corporate strategy. Support, from a company perspective at the highest level.

Direction of business to SMMEs.

Recruiting staff from local communities and the development of employee skills being a management priority.

Programmes to uplift the broader community.

The establishment of a Trans-frontier reserve holds the distinct possibility of returning the land and wildlife to a state not seen in the area in generations.

The importance of innovative partnerships as well as the importance of the value of partners working towards one goal and not loosing sight of the vision before them.

As the project is on-going, it is proof that the inspiration to continue this work still exists.

De Beers purchased the land to establish the Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve, is represented on various committees and participates in various meetings on the planning of a Transfrontier Conservation Area, has donated funds required for select land purchases and actively encourages and facilitates research projects on its reserve. The company has also played a pivotal role, together with Peace Parks Foundation in strengthening trust relationships amongst stakeholders. South African National Parks is South Africa´s national nature conservation agency responsible for managing and administering conservation areas of national and international importance. It convenes various Management and Steering Committees which have, inter alia, the responsibility for formulating, implementing and monitoring the appropriate National Park Management Plan.

Peace Parks Foundation - South African based NGO dedicated to the facilitation of Transfontier Conservation Areas in the Southern African Development Community. Has played a pivotal role, together with De Beers in strengthening trust amongst stakeholders. Clear goals, objectives and vision, participation in appropriate meetings or interactions, adequate representation on decision making bodies, involvement of all interested and affected parties at the relevant level, internal and external transparency and the commitment of resources where appropriate have all assisted in the success of this partnership to date.