Environmental Assessment
Volume A-6
Introduction
Consultation
•
Good explanation is needed of mitigation to minimize risk to people,
including human health effects from contaminants of concern like
manganese.
•
Clarification of compensatory process and measures should there be a
conflict in water use, owing to a reduction in flow down stream from the
tailings facility.
Working Group 2 – Biodiversity
The results of the biodiversity working group session were summarized by the
group in a matrix. The matrix listed 48 issues brought up through discussions,
which were first ranked as to importance (high, medium or low). For those 19
issues deemed of high importance, proposed mitigation was listed and ranked in
terms of how well it addressed the issue and whether it was believed feasible to
implement or not.
No proposed mitigations were found to be inappropriate for the issue they
addressed and none was found to be infeasible to implement. However, several
mitigations were marked for careful consideration, as they were only considered
moderately appropriate and / or moderately feasible to implement; these are
mentioned below:
•
Minimizing off-site effects on the vegetation in the Torotorfotsy
Wetlands is dependent on success of the mine site water management
plan. This plan should address the possibility of two cyclones occurring
in swift succession. Likewise extra checks will be needed on the
pipeline through the Torotorfotsy, to ensure no leaks. Biological
monitoring is also needed in the Torotorfotsy, to improve the
understanding of the wetlands. These studies should be integrated with
the Ramsar management initiative.
•
Additional flora taxonomic work should proceed, to identify any species
for which targeted conservation action is required before construction.
This should take place both on-site and in potential off-site azonal
vegetation conservation areas.
•
The on-site azonal conservation areas will need monitoring during
construction and operations to ensure they are effective, being so close
to the mine.
•
Reclamation success will rely on successful propagation and use of
endemic species. This aspect requires ongoing research. Reclamation
success will also be dependent on successful buffer zone management,
that must be a priority.
Ambatovy Project
45
January 2006
