The Society emphasized that its position regarding the study and exploitation of copper in the reserve is firm, and reiterated its categorical rejection of any excision of the reserve's lands, due to the direct threat this poses to one of the most important natural sites in Jordan and globally.
The Society stresses that it is not against development or the national interest, but rather operates according to a balanced approach aimed at protecting Jordan's natural heritage in parallel with supporting responsible and sustainable development, serving current and future generations, and in line with the "Sustainable Environment" driver included in the Economic Modernization Vision.
Accordingly, the Society clarifies that the technical, environmental, and procedural aspects related to the study and exploitation of copper ores in Wadi Al-Jariya and Wadi Mahash/the southwestern borders of the reserve have been discussed over the past period with the concerned authorities, and the following understandings have been reached:
1. No part of the Dana Reserve shall be excised for the purposes of the project.
2. All facilities and infrastructure associated with the study and exploitation of copper ores, including mining, processing, and support service facilities belonging to the project, must be located outside the western borders of Wadi Al-Jariya and Wadi Mahash.
3. Mining operations within the project area must be conducted using underground mining methods, ensuring the minimization of impacts on the earth's surface and the preservation of the reserve's environmental values in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study and necessary requirements.
4. The preparation and determination of the locations and dimensions of mining entrances and access areas for ore, machinery, and equipment must be based on the EIA study, in which the RSCN participates in reviewing and evaluating within the specialized committee at the Ministry of Environment, ensuring the protection of groundwater. The scope and methods of implementing these works shall be determined according to the necessary approvals, and these works may not include the extraction of ore through direct surface mining methods.
5. Granting the right to exploit underground copper ores in accordance with applicable environmental legislation and within the terms of the executive agreement, achieving a balance between protecting the environment and biodiversity on the surface on one hand, and utilizing copper ores and mineral resources located underground on the other, without prejudice to environmental requirements and laws.
Accordingly, an understanding was reached between the concerned parties on the above as a framework for completing the procedures related to the project, with full commitment to applicable environmental legislation and the preservation of the Dana Reserve and its natural components, allowing for the exploitation of mineral resources in a responsible and sustainable manner.
