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2012 - AMBATOVY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
known as Ankerana, an area chosen as a biodiversity
offset site for being ecologically comparable to the
forests of the mine area.
Immediately next to the mine, Ambatovy continues
to assist in the conservation of the Torotorofotsy
Wetlands, a 9,000 ha wetland and forest area. Ambatovy
works with the Government of Madagascar, local non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), consultancy firms
and other stakeholders to provide assistance to manage
the area.
Also near the mine, Ambatovy is supporting the
establishment of the Analamay-Mantadia Forest
Corridor (AMFC), a proposed new protected area linking
the mine forests to the nearby Mantadia National Park
and the southern end of the CAZ. Formal protection of
this corridor, spanning approximately 8,000 ha in size,
will result in the creation of one of the largest continuous
tracts of protected forest in Madagascar. Ambatovy
continues to support the process to get the AMFC
protected.
Advancing Scientific Knowledge
Our goal is to implement leading, scientific practices
for biodiversity conservation in affected areas and
biodiversity offset areas. As part of this effort, we
work with the Scientific Consultative Committee, an
independent body of 16 world-leading international
and national scientists renowned for their expertise in
various fields of biodiversity. In 2012, Ambatovy supported
the third annual meeting of the SCC. This committee
has been monitoring Ambatovy’s environmental activities
and providing recommendations for action to the
Company since 2009.
Ambatovy contributes to the advancement of
scientific knowledge through working with a committed
group of leading specialists, sponsoring conservation
programmes and forging enduring collaboration with
leading conservation organizations.
Conservation International
(CI)
– Leaders in
biodiversity conservation and manager of the
Ankeniheny-Zahamena Forest Corridor protected area,
within which is located the 6,800 ha Ankerana forest.
Our annual investment is approximately $300,000.
Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG)
– We
collaborate with the MBG to conserve and record rare
and endangered flora both around the mine site and
within offsets. Since 2007 over $1 million has been
invested in the flora conservation program.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
– Leaders
in the conservation of biodiversity and a co-founder of
the BBOP, we work with WCS to quantify biodiversity
losses at the mine as well as gains made through the
BBOP. To date, our investment has exceeded $250,000.
