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BBOP Pilot Project Case Study – Ambatovy Project
5. Current Status of the Project
and Offset
5.1 Project chronology and status (as of December 2008)
1960: Genim, a French company, conducts exploration drilling and identifies the Ambatovy and Analamay
nickel cobalt ore bodies; environmental considerations of the early feasibility study were very limited and
did not consider vegetation anomalies nor the importance of nearby wetland (e.g. using Torotorofotsy for
tailings disposal);
1970: Under the President of Madagascar, Didier Ratsiraka, a partnership with North Korea leads to the
analysis of a bulk sample that confirmed the existence of nickel and cobalt but which led to no further
development; environmental considerations were absent during exploration (e.g. no rehabilitation of test
pit, which remains unvegetated today);
1994 – 1997: Phelps-Dodge conducts exploration drilling and develops a feasibility study and an ESIA (not
submitted to ONE); vegetation anomaly recognised and quantified (vegetation map), biological inventories
created; management principles for surrounding forests conceptualised; importance of azonal habitats
recognised;
1998 – 2003: Restoration of exploration roads and platforms undertaken in light of Project development
uncertainties;
2003 – 2006: Dynatec conducts exploration drilling and develops a feasibility study and an ESIA; Final
Investment Decision taken by the investors (Dynatec and partners); on-site and offset conservation ideas
captured in the ESIA; Ambatovy becomes BBOP pilot Project; ESIA was permitted by ONE on December
1
st
, 2006; and
2007 – 2008: Elaboration of the Ambatovy Project thematic Environmental and Social Plans (18 plans: air,
noise, water etc and biodiversity); implementation of Biodiversity Action Plan (and others), development of
priority
TAXA
-specific draft management plans (lemur, Mantella species, fish and flora). Confirmation of
shareholders and loans and start of construction.
5.2 Offset chronology and status (as of December 2008)
2004 – 2005: Concept of biodiversity offset integrated with other Project activities, with a preliminary
survey of proposed offset site undertaken and documented in the ESIA; proposed offset site selection
based on geological, substrate, altitude and forest structure similarity (relative to principal
IMPACT SITE
);
2006: Ambatovy Project selected as a BBOP Pilot Project at Pretoria meeting;
2007: Participation in BBOP meetings (London and Bainbridge) and contribution to development of BBOP
handbooks and guidelines; concepts for Ankerana site management programme developed and zoning
initiated;
