Environmental Assessment
Volume A-6
Introduction
Consultation
•
Tavy: There was concern, expressed by many, that tavy plots will be
permanently lost, without compensation or relocation.
•
Pipeline Routing: People have asked that routing alternatives be
explored to protect primary forest. There is concern to know how the
selection of the final route is made and if there are parts of the route that
will require additional structure for the pipe, so that the RoW can be
reforested.
•
Behavior of Expatriate Staff: There was concern among the local people
that because expatriate staff are unaware of local beliefs and customs,
their behavior will bring harm to villagers.
6.4.4.3 Tailings Facility
The construction of the tailings facility and nearby plant on lands belonging to
both the Toamasina II and Fanandrana communes will require the resettlement of
households in fokontany of Antanadava and Antanambo over a phased 10-year
period. Surrounding communities will have potential to be affected by the
resettlement of their neighbours and will experience a range of other effects such
as increased traffic, migration and employment. Issues are summarized from all
local consultations in the Toamasina area as follows for the tailings facility:
Physical
•
Water Quality: There was concern the tailings may contain heavy metals
and that the water in the tailings ponds will be affected and then seep
into the groundwater. There is also concern that in extreme weather
events, tailings pond water will overflow and reach the sea without
being treated.
Biophysical
•
Marine Habitat: There was concern about harm to the reefs off
Toamasina from tailings.
•
Biodiversity and Natural Habitats: There was concern that biological
resources will be permanently lost to the tailings pond.
•
Ecological and Human Health: There was concern that the tailings will
affect drinking water, rice plantations, flora and fauna.
Social
•
Resettlement: There has been significant concern about resettlement
generally. People in the resettlement area do not believe that
resettlement funds will cover the costs of moving. There are also
concerns that resettlement forces people to move from ancestral lands
Ambatovy Project
39
January 2006
