2011
AMBATOVY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
21
Science and Conservation
Our goal is to implement leading-edge, science-based
practices for biodiversity conservation in impacted and
offset areas. To monitor and verify the effectiveness
of Ambatovy’s biodiversity management, a Scientific
Consultative Committee (SCC) was established
in 2009. The SCC is made up of independent
national and international scientists renowned for
their expertise in biodiversity, conservation and
environmental management. The SCC convenes
annually to provide input on biodiversity program
design and implementation. In 2011, the annual
meeting was held in November with the participation
of 14 members plus three special guests. The focus
for the 2011 meeting was on specific biodiversity
management challenges and links to social issues in
Ambatovy’s zones of impact.
Environmental Performance
Flora
Ambatovy, with the help of the Missouri Botanical Garden,
has prioritized plants as Species of Concern (SOCs), which
are rare species, as yet known only from the mine site and
a maximum of two other locations in Madagascar. We have
continued throughout 2011 to carry out surveys to ascertain
how many of these SOCs are found in other locations,
particularly in the conservation zones around the mine.
This search effort has resulted in the progressive reduction
in the number of species requiring salvage and relocation.
Those that remain rare are referred to as Red SOCs and we
carry out extensive salvaging operations prior to clearing an
area for mining. As a precautionary measure, Ambatovy’s
comprehensive conservation program includes whole-plant
salvaging (including trees), seed collection, plant propagation
and the development of living collections for progressive
rehabilitation of the mine footprint.
We have paid particular attention to
the orchid species present in our mine
area and have set up two orchid parks
where salvaged plants can be nurtured.
In 2011, we salvaged and transplanted
over 6,900 individual orchids into these
nurseries. Again with the support of
Missouri Botanical Garden, Ambatovy
has established an orchid house for
conducting taxonomic research and
acclimation of the plants before they
are relocated to the orchid parks.
Biodiversity Offsets Program
Ambatovy’s biodiversity offsets program
provides the framework for establishing
offsets in accordance with IFC Performance Standard 6 and
the BBOP Standard on Biodiversity Offsets. Since we know
that we cannot accomplish the conservation of these forests
without the support and engagement of the local communities
living around the offsets areas, the program involves both
environmental and community initiatives. By designating
some areas as conservation lands and some as mixed-
use forest, and by managing these areas jointly with local
communities, we expect that they will remain sustainable and
healthy habitats for generations to come.
The projected net gain of protected forest habitat has increased
since our 2010 report from 12,000 to over 18,000 ha with the
addition of a new protected area known as the Analamay-
Mantadia Forest Corridor (AMFC), which will link the mine
conservation forests to the Mantadia National Park.
Ambatovy Net Impact of Mining Activities on Forested Areas
Land to be
Land to be
Land to be
FOREST/LAND AREAS
Impacted (ha)
Reclaimed (ha)
Conserved (ha)
Mine Footprint
1,800
1,800
0
Slurry Pipeline
600
600
0
Roads/Infrastructure
100
0
0
On-Site or Adjacent Offsets:*
1. Mine Conservation Forests
0
0
3,644
2. Analamay-Mantadia Forest Corridor
0
0
8,319
(AMFC) (proposed core zone)
Ankerana Offset (BBOP area)
0
0
6,800
(proposed core zone)
Sub Totals
2,500
2,400
18,763
Net Gain
18,663
* The Mine Conservation Forest has been redefined since the 2010 report to include only land within Ambatovy’s land lease
area. This caused the exclusion of approximately 1,200 ha that is outside the lease area but was being conserved by
Ambatovy. This land is now under the control of the Analamay-Mantadia Forest Corridor (AMFC) administration, and has
been included in the 8,319 ha referenced. The former 300 ha on-site offset noted in the 2010 report is now included in the
Mine Conservation Forest total.
