Environmental Assessment
Volume A-7
Introduction
EA Methods and Study Area
The plant site does not overlap any watercourses; however, ancillary facilities
may affect some local tidally influenced ditches, canals and wetlands.
The tailings facility overlaps several drainages. Water bodies located near the
tailings area include several small rivers and streams, ponds and wetlands.
7.2.6
Soils
The soils LSAs for each project component are defined as the disturbance
footprints. These LSAs cover the areas where soils are being affected by the
project.
7.2.7
Terrestrial Biology
Mine
The LSA is designed to capture the direct effects of the physical footprint of the
mine on terrestrial resources, and the immediate indirect effects of mining
activities (fugitive dust, changes in surface water flow or disturbance of wildlife)
on flora, fauna, biodiversity and natural habitats. Thus, the study area is large
enough to predict the potential effects of the mine on the vegetation and the home
ranges of animals living within or adjacent to the mine area.
The LSA includes the rivers, streams, ephemeral ponds, springs and wetlands
within the drainages directly affected or indirectly affected by the mine to capture
effects on taxa, including herpetofauna and birds, associated with wetter areas.
This includes the Torotorofotsy Wetlands, and the water bodies within the water
pipeline corridor (within and immediately downstream of the pipeline right-of-
way) from the Mangoro River and the general area of the water intake structure
on the Mangoro River. Any direct or indirect effects on flora, fauna and
biodiversity would also be captured within this study area. The aquatics study
area was modified in light of the above criteria to derive the terrestrial biology
study area (Figure 7.2-1).
Slurry Pipeline
The LSA for the slurry pipeline includes the footprint and a 1,000 m buffer on
each side of the right-of-way (Figure 7.2-2). Any potential impacts from
construction and operation of the pipeline on flora, fauna, biodiversity and
natural habitats would be identified within this corridor. Special attention was
given to crossings of water bodies where potential downstream impacts may be a
concern. Any direct or indirect effects on flora, fauna and biodiversity within
Ambatovy Project
58
January 2006
