Environmental Assessment
Volume A-6
Introduction
Consultation
•
Biodiversity: The protection of the Torotorofotsy and the Mantadia-
Zahamena Corridor would need to be assured, with the aim of not only
mitigating impacts through ecological restoration but also of creating
environmental value for Madagascar. NGOs asked that pipeline routes
be chosen with the lowest risk to the environment.
•
Ecological Value: There was a request that the EA include an analysis
of the ecological value of the mine site area, reflecting a concern that the
no action alternative receives appropriate consideration in the EA.
•
Mine Site Ecology: There was concern that the mine site, because of its
unusual soil properties and thus specialized vegetation cover might
represent a unique ecology that would need to be protected. In addition,
this raised questions as to the potential for revegetation using different
species native to the area, as post-mine soil conditions will be different
and perhaps not support a similar ecology to what exists presently.
•
Training: There was interest to ensure that the project, in developing and
implementing its training plan, work with local educational institutions.
•
HIV/AIDS: There was concern to know what the project will do to
prevent the spread of HIV, which is associated with migration as the
result of projects such as mines. It is expected that the project’s
workforce management plan address the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
•
Value Added: There was interest in seeing how, beyond mining and
processing, the project could bring additional economic benefits to
Madagascar, both by sourcing more project inputs in the country and by
finding means to sell not just nickel and cobalt, but using other project
outputs, such as mine tailings.
•
Alternatives: There was concern to know what alternatives have been
considered and what criteria were being used to evaluate these towards
final decision-making.
6.4.4
Affected Populations
The consultations strategy is one that proactively informs and consults with
stakeholders on the development of the mine, with all of its associated facilities,
and the EA process itself. Results of local-level consultations are presented
below, for each project site.
6.4.4.1 Mine Site
Local-level consultations were held in four communes surrounding the mine site,
as well as in the town of Moramanga. The ore bodies are located primarily in the
Commune of Ambohibary but may also extend into other communes, thus the
excavation and associated facilities have potential impacts on land use in all four
Ambatovy Project
32
January 2006
