2010
AMBATOVY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
17
TextC1. Environmental Performance
C1.1 Managment Approach to
Environmental Sustainability
We recognize that we are operating an industrial project in a
country known for its biodiversity. Madagascar is also one of the
world’s poorest countries, whose people are highly dependent
on natural resources for their livelihood. These factors combine
to create a challenging context for a large mining operation. To
meet these challenges, Ambatovy has developed interrelated
environmental and social policies. We will leave a footprint,
but we will strive to leave as small a footprint as possible on
Madagascar’s forest, soil, air and water systems. Ambatovy’s
key environmental goal is that all its activities, taken collectively,
should cause no net loss to Madagascar’s natural heritage and,
preferably, result in a net gain.
Ambatovy is using two strategies. The first is to mitigate
impacts with responsible engineering and technology. The
second is to offset residual impacts with conservation efforts.
We have produced management plans relating to water,
air, noise, soil, waste, flora, fauna and aquatic resources.
These plans will have far-reaching effects as we work toward
the preservation of Madagascar’s environment and the
advancement of scientific knowledge and local capacity. To
deliver outstanding environmental and conservation results,
we have committed to:
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Implement adaptive, state-of-the-art environmental
management plans to ensure compliance with national
and international standards throughout construction,
operations and closure.
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Minimize all residual impacts through the
implementation of a best-practice mitigation hierarchy
and offsets program.
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Manage environmental risks by enhancing stakeholder
involvement through transparency, continuous
consultation and timely feedback with the public on
emerging environmental issues.
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Track operational performance and emissions to
ensure that compliance levels are met and that
operational control systems are functioning optimally.
Ambatovy’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) provides
the framework to ensure that all issues identified in the ESIA
are addressed through appropriate mitigation and follow-up.
Mitigation measures, together with strict monitoring systems,
are built into the design of our operations and ensure
compliance with established criteria. Water, air, noise, waste,
soil quality and biodiversity are monitored on an ongoing
basis. Land mined by Ambatovy is progressively reclaimed
and restored for future use. Additionally, a comprehensive
biological offsets program is being implemented that will
achieve positive and measurable conservation outcomes.
Ambatovy works in close collaboration with the ONE, which
must approve all environmental plans before implementation.
The ONE has a mandate to review Ambatovy’s performance
twice a year through intensive field verification, make
recommendations for improved compliance and impose
sanctions if warranted. To date, the ONE has given the Project
two warning notices with recommendations relating to pipeline
rehabilitation, both of which have been fully discharged
through corrective actions.
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Major challenges encountered
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Challenges en route to resolution
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Good progress made toward goal
Environmental Targets
Targets for Environmental Performance in 2010
Put in place an adaptive environmental management
system that ensures compliance throughout construction,
operation and closure.
Implement a best-practice mitigation hierarchy aiming at
avoiding, minimizing, mitigating and offsetting impacts.
Manage environmental risks by enhancing stakeholders’
involvement through public consultations to maintain
project transparency and receive timely feedback on
emerging environmental issues.
Implement a Biodiversity Management Plan that
will achieve no net loss and preferably a net gain in
biodiversity.
Results and Next Steps
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We have comprehensive management plans for each
of the major areas of environmental impact.
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During 2010 construction activities, some unexpected
impacts occurred, such as rice field inundation. We
have been working to ensure that there are remediation
and stronger prevention measures in place.
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We have regular communication with environmental
stakeholders, such as the Malagasy regulator and a range
of NGOs and experts, who advise us on critical areas
of impact.
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We are still on target with an offset six times the area of our
mine footprint. However, in 2010 there was minor accidental
intrusion into areas set aside for conservation. 2011 will be a
pivotal year for our biodiversity team as we strengthen
practices and programs.
