Environmental Assessment
Volume A-6
Introduction
Consultation
from the proponent in terms of mitigation and benefit enhancement
without prejudicing the potential for the project to proceed. The
Ambatovy workforce wanted to understand the EA process better,
wondering that if there were negative impacts identified would the
project not proceed, or would the proponent be able to resolve negative
impacts satisfactorily. The Ambatovy workforce was also concerned
that their participation in consultations should be treated discretely. In
Moramanga, the need for another EA was questioned, and there was
interest in seeing the EA terms of reference. In Ambohibary there was
concern to better understand the role of national government
representatives relative to the proponent and the project.
6.4.4.2 Pipeline
The project includes an approximately 195 km pipeline from the mine site to the
coast, with an assessed route traversing settlements in the communes of
Ambatovola, Andasibe, Andekaleka, Lohariandava, Fanasana, Razanaka,
Fetraomby, Vohitranivona, Ambalarondra, Ambinaninony, and Ampasimadinika.
The route through the Mantadia-Zahamena Corridor was selected, in consultation
with government representatives and environmental NGOs, to minimize potential
effect on primary forests. The construction of the pipeline will cause disturbance
to some of the people who are presently living on or otherwise using the route.
Consultations were held in over 70 settlements along the pipeline route, and route
alternatives, as part of broader socioeconomic baseline studies. However, since
these main issues have been extracted from the baseline reports, they are not
attributable to individual communities. Many of the same main issues were raised
in many villages.
Physical
•
Air quality: There were questions about carbon balance and any
possibilities of a carbon sequestration project. In other words a request
for re-forestation along the pipeline route in the Mantadia-Zahamena
Corridor, to help off-set forest loss at the mine site. (NGO present at
community meeting).
•
Water quantity: There was concern that water supply would be affected
by the construction of the slurry pipeline.
•
Water quantity: There was concern that water extraction used to make
the slurry would result in less water availability for local people and less
water in the Torotorofotsy.
•
Soil erosion: There was concern that pipeline construction, particularly
at river crossings, would result in soil erosion that would negatively
affect lands, water resources and fish populations that people depend
upon.
Ambatovy Project
36
January 2006
