2010
AMBATOVY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
40
C3.3 Community Development Programs
Zero Tolerance Campaign
At the start of construction, a code of conduct was introduced
governing the behaviour of expatriate personnel with respect
to the local culture, environmental protection, personal
behaviour and other core values. This aimed to prevent
problems between the local communities and foreign staff
and ensure full compliance with the International Labour
Organization’s Convention 182, IFC Performance Standards
and Madagascar’s national laws. In 2008, a Project-wide
version of the code of conduct was developed and all staff –
national, expatriate and contractors – were then required to
sign it. The code, which outlines Ambatovy’s zero tolerance
of sexual exploitation, includes confidential reporting
mechanisms and disciplinary procedures.
Table 7: Zero Tolerance Campaign Accomplishments in 2010
OFF-SITE
Plant site Mine site offices Pipeline TotAL
Employees
educated on zero
tolerance policy
2,506
455
170
364 3,495
Educational
materials
distributed
7,100
455
N/A
203 7,758
Community Safety and Security
Ambatovy has made safety a top priority inside all sites and,
where possible, in local communities. Project truck drivers
received traffic safety training and local communities living
near Project access roads were educated on road safety
through signage and village visits. Ambatovy, in conjunction
with Madarail, was also proactive in raising awareness about
safety along the rail line between the plant site and port
through public awareness sessions, public consultations,
door-to-door information distribution and multimedia
presentations in local schools and churches.
In addition, throughout 2010 Ambatovy worked with local
communities to set up associations responsible for monitoring
the pipeline infrastructure for damage or theft. In return, the
Project paid a regular stipend to the associations to invest in
the development of their communities.
Cultural Preservation
Ambatovy is committed to making sure that any archaeological
artifacts and remains are handled respectfully and in
accordance with local customs and scientific procedures.
Ambatovy’s archaeological team surveyed cultural heritage
sites prior to construction, involving rigorous documentation
and mapping with the help of community members. During
construction of the pipeline, all sites were thoroughly checked
for items of archaeological interest or value and, where
possible, the Project diverted the pipeline route around
sensitive cultural sites. In locations where burial sites or
artifacts were found and their relocation was necessary,
Ambatovy followed specific cultural practices, local traditions
and strict scientific protocols to ensure minimal disruption.
The archaeological team also worked with external institutions,
such as the University of Toamasina and the CEREL
Museum (
Centre d’études et de recherches ethnologiques et
linguisitiques
), to create a digital catalogue of artifacts found
throughout the construction period. By the end of 2010, nearly
30% had been catalogued.
Ambatovy’s archaeology team has found more than 4,250
remains and made inventories of six archaeological sites and
91 sites of archaeological interest. It appears that remains
found at the mine site date back to the late 18th and early 19th
centuries. Jars, small jugs and large terra cotta pots are just
some of the items that have been discovered and preserved.
Community Monitoring
Associations and the Pipeline
With approximately 220 km of pipeline between the
mine and the plant site, Ambatovy knew that it would
never be able to maintain constant surveillance on
environmental, social and security issues without
help. Prior to 2010, members of the Environment
and CSR Departments kept track of equipment theft,
erosion, flooding or pollution of water sources. Yet
the job was far too big and some of these issues
already existed in the communities in the area and
not just along the pipeline itself.
Since community watch groups were already common
in rural Malagasy culture, the Ambatovy CSR team
came up with a plan that would allow the communities
around the pipeline to take the lead in monitoring the
area of the pipeline. In November 2010, Ambatovy
joined forces with a local NGO to initiate new
community associations and work with existing ones
to create a network of social surveillance agents living
along the pipeline.
By the end of 2010, half of the 32 associations
had already been selected and organized. These
32 associations will represent more than 1,000
community members who are committed to monitoring
regularly pipeline assets that are near their homes
and farms. Ambatovy and its partner NGO are working
together to provide the community groups with
technical and administrative capacity-building. This
creates a symbiotic relationship with these monitoring
associations. The Project has eyes and ears along
the pipeline that will alert us to issues that need to be
addressed while the communities receive capacity-
building and investment in the associations, creating
long-term security well beyond the pipeline into their
own villages.
C3. Social Performance
