The Offset Design Process
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BBOP Pilot Project Case Study – Ambatovy Project
7.3.4.1 Assessing biodiversity impacts
Biodiversity impacts are presented in the Project’s 2006 ESIA. The ESIA
BASELINE
and impact analysis
(including
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
) followed World Bank (IFC, International Finance Corporation) standards.
A formal summary is available at:
Details of the biodiversity impacts are available in Volume J of the full ESIA report (full document available in
French or English, on CD, through the Ambatovy Project or the Malagasy Ministry for Environment).
The Project’s main impacts will occur at the mine site, through the progressive clearing of the mine footprint
(total footprint of 2,126 hectares, of which 1,336 ha will result from clearance and the balance resulting from
indirect (edge effect) impacts around the cleared area) located within an ecologically sensitive natural forest
mosaic of the eastern mid-altitudinal forest corridor. Stringent impact avoidance and minimisation strategies
were applied in the design phase of the Project, so
RESIDUAL IMPACTS
on biodiversity from the other key
Project components, most of which lie in heavily degraded areas, are of less significance (but will nonetheless
be offset). These include pipelines, the processing plant and refinery, tailings management facility and pier
extension (see Section 3 for a summary of associated impacts).
As the Project has evolved, specific aspects covered in the ESIA are currently being revisited to ensure that
no residual impacts to biodiversity have been neglected. Any further residual impacts identified will be
included in the biodiversity offset calculation.
7.3.4.2 Key Biodiversity Components Matrix (KBCM)
Key biodiversity components
KEY BIODIVERSITY COMPONENTS
were identified for the impact area, including mainly species and habitats, but
also landscapes / ecosystems. The completed key biodiversity components matrix (KBCM) conveys the
essence of the character of the site by identifying a range of its highest biodiversity values. The KBCM can
help ensure that the offset generates additional conservation outcomes for these key biodiversity values, and
the matrix can also contribute to the design of the
BENCHMARK
that will help with the calculations of residual
BIODIVERSITY LOSS
caused by the Project (see Appendix 1) and the gain that will be achieved through the
offset. Both intrinsic and
NON-USE VALUES
of key species and habitats / ecosystems were assessed according
to their significance level and
IRREPLACEABILITY
. The KBCM based on the current data is in Appendix 1. The
Project will conduct additional surveys and improve analysis of existing data during 2009.
The key biodiversity components listed here will subsequently be considered during the offset site selection
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and characterisation stage.
7.3.4.3 Applying the mitigation hierarchy
Prior to consideration of biodiversity offsets, the Ambatovy Project implemented appropriate avoidance,
minimisation and restoration measures through its Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) to avoid species
EXTINCTION
and
EXTIRPATION
(all IUCN EN and CR species), avoid sensitive areas where possible and
minimise impacts on flora, fauna and aquatic resources.
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A rapid assessment of the Ankerana site provided preliminary species-level data. The potential offset site is located within the same
biogeographical setting as the impact area, so it is anticipated that more detailed assessments will also reveal the presence of the key
biodiversity components at Ankerana.
