Environmental Assessment
Volume A-6
Introduction
Consultation
6.4
PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE
6.4.1
Before Launching the Environmental Assessment
In 2003, the proponent took over responsibility for reinitiating the development
of what was originally a Phelps Dodge project, including a drilling program at
the mine site to confirm resource availability. The proponent thus met with a
broad range of national, provincial, district and local government representatives,
at both the political and administrative levels, to introduce the project and solicit
input into its future development. This consultation has been an iterative one. As
site investigation and project design studies advanced, new information became
available and was provided to the Government of Madagascar, in the spirit of
collaboration in project development.
Meetings at the political level indicated strong interest in seeing the project
proceed, on the grounds of the economic, employment and business benefits it
would bring to government and local populations. Madagascar gives some
priority to the mining sector as a force of economic growth, source of
government revenue, contributor to infrastructure development and opportunity
for skill and capacity building (both direct employment in the formal wage
economy and supply of goods and services). Madagascar is however very
concerned to see that its unique environmental heritage and the well-being of its
population are protected in the course of project development, construction and
operations.
At the official level, the project has primary interface with the Ministries of
Energy and Mines; Environment, Water and Forests; Industry; and Transport and
Public Works.
6.4.2
National, Provincial and Regional Government
6.4.2.1 Methodology
As described above, engagement with national and regional level governments
has been ongoing, in the course of the activities the proponent has undertaken
since 2003 to develop the project in all its elements – engineering studies, land
acquisition, interface of the project with infrastructure development (port and
railway), initiatives being undertaken by the Government of Madagascar, etc.
The proponent has also formally engaged governments at national and regional
levels through large meetings which bring together senior corporate management
with Madagascar government ministers and officials. These meetings are
Ambatovy Project
29
January 2006
