2010
AMBATOVY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
18
C1. Environmental Performance
C1.2 Biodiversity
Biodiversity management at Ambatovy is founded on
a combination of internal policy, obligations under our
environmental permit and our commitments to external
standards. The Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP), an
integral part of the EMP, encompasses scientific conservation
actions for targeted flora, fauna and aquatic resources. These
programs use an adaptive management approach, which
is an analytical process for improving management policies
and practices by learning from the outcomes of operational
programs.
The following key objectives are the foundation of Ambatovy’s
BMP:
3
No net loss of biodiversity and preferably a net gain.
3
No loss of species and no net reduction in the
population of any endangered species.
3
Minimized impacts on flora, fauna and aquatic
resources.
3
Increased conservation of rare habitats.
3
Priority habitat viability assured by maintaining or
increasing ecosystem connectivity.
3
Close links between Ambatovy’s biodiversity activities
and regional initiatives.
Each part of the Project operates within a unique ecosystem
with its own biological characteristics. Priorities for mitigation
and monitoring are broken down by site and laid out in
Ambatovy’s BMP. This includes, where appropriate, listings of
species of concern (SOC). Priorities were identified based on
the area and rarity of natural habitats that would be directly
affected by the Project. Extensive pre-construction studies
on the flora, fauna and aquatic habitats of each area were
conducted at all Project sites as well as the Torotorofotsy
Wetlands.
High-Priority Area Concern
Mine site
Flora and fauna of the “azonal” (atypical) forest and
shrub habitats.
Aquatic habitats of the less disturbed streams and
ephemeral ponds.
Torotorofotsy Wetlands
Although not directly impacted to a significant degree
by the Project, this area near the mine site is a
BMP high priority site based on its conservation
status and IFC requirements to support conservation
of adjacent protected areas.
Pipeline
Flora and fauna of the primary forest near the
mine site and within the Ankeniheny-Zahamena
Corridor (CAZ).
Endemic aquatic species of sensitive water courses
traversed by the pipeline.
Ocean outfall
Marine habitats, including coral reefs.
Priorities for species of concern have been set according to:
3
Endemism (local, regional, national), especially locally
endemic species with restricted range.
3
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
threatened species status, notably endangered (EN)
and critically endangered (CR) species.
3
Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) species status.
3
Additional information from Malagasy specialists on
the status of species.
A Scientific Consultative Committee on biodiversity was
established in 2009 and reflects Ambatovy’s commitment to
environmental management and transparency. The committee
is made up of 14 national and international independent
scientists renowned for their expertise in biodiversity,
conservation and environmental management. The Scientific
Consultative Committee convenes every six to twelve
months to conduct an external evaluation of Ambatovy’s
implementation of the BMP and make recommendations for
improved biodiversity management.
