Environmental Assessment
Volume A-6
Introduction
Consultation
communes. Ambohibary, Ampasimpotsy and Andasibe all have populations that
use for their livelihoods the area around the Torotorofotsy Wetlands, and there is
thus some potential for impact in this regard. The population of particularly
Andasibe is also implicated in the developing tourist industry and in
environmental conservation of existing and potential tourist sites. As all four
communes straddle the main road and rail access routes to the site, there is
potential also for a range of impacts, such as increased traffic, migration and
employment. As the main regional centre, Moramanga is also likely to see
impacts related to migration and expanded employment and business
opportunities in relation to mine activities. The mine site and adjacent
Torotorofotsy Wetlands were also discussed at various meetings with civil
society and government stakeholders.
Issued raised during the consultations, including those written into notebooks and
dropped into suggestion boxes, are summarized below.
Physical
•
Water quality: There was concern that chemical elements from mine
activities will reach water resources. These include water for human and
animal consumption – potentially affecting health of both, for irrigation
and for fishing. The relationship between cutting forests and
sedimentation of rivers is also of concern, particularly as this may affect
rice fields (Morarano) and the Torotorofotsy (Ampasimpotsy and
Andasibe).
•
Water quantity: There was concern that the water requirements of the
mine (including withdrawal from the Mangoro River) will result in less
water being available, which would be a serious impact given the
importance of irrigation for rice fields, the dependence on fish for
livelihoods in the area of Torotorofotsy and the tourism potential of the
Torotorofotsy. (Ambatovy workforce, Ampasimpotsy, Andasibe).
•
Cobalt: There was concern that the extraction of cobalt will result in
health threats because of the perceived radioactive properties of this
mineral. (Morarano, Moramanga).
Biophysical
•
Depletion of forest resources: There was concern that the tree cutting
required to develop the mine will not only result in other environmental
effects, on water, but also on rainfall. (Morarano, Ampasimpotsy,
Andasibe).
•
Biodiversity and habitat: There was concern about the potential effects
of the mine generally on biological integrity, as the site lies within the
Mantadia-Zahamena corridor slated for protection. More specifically
Ambatovy Project
33
January 2006
