Anglo American eDNA Pilot Project - El Soldado, Chile - Freshwater Vertebrates

These data represent two seasons of sampling spanning 2022-2023 at the El Soldado Copper mine site in Chile. Their collection is a groundbreaking project that aims to use the best available innovative technology to fill gaps in biodiversity data from the mine footprint and surrounding areas as well as Chile in general and to make these data available to conservation decision-makers.

It is a collaborative effort between NatureMetrics, Anglo American, and the El Soldado site environment team. The data is being made available by Anglo American to be used by the eBioAtlas program. eBioAtlas is a collaboration between NatureMetrics and IUCN to use the power of eDNA to fill global biodiversity knowledge gaps and deliver impact in conservation. The goal is to establish a biodiversity baseline of aquatic insects and vertebrates using eDNA in the freshwater bodies and catchments within and surrounding the mine footprint, to create a cohesive biodiversity data layer, facilitating informed decision-making for the betterment of both humanity and nature.