Environmental Assessment
Volume A-7
Introduction
EA Methods and Study Area
The level of confidence for an impact analysis is discussed when there are
questions about the factors reviewed above. Where the level of prediction
confidence is low, a subjective assessment is made based on the available
information, the applicability of information on surrogates, and on professional
opinion.
7.4.2
Assessment Cases
Three EA cases, or scenarios, will be considered for the EA:
•
baseline;
•
project; and
•
cumulative effects.
Each of these scenarios are discussed in this section.
Baseline
Baseline for the EA is defined to include all existing disturbances. Baseline
therefore includes existing disturbances from agriculture and grazing, houses,
roads and trails, plus disturbance from mine exploration activities. However, as
required in the ToR, exploration disturbance caused by Dynatec and its previous
partner Phelps Dodge (PDM) will be separated out from other older exploration
disturbances.
From a resettlement perspective, the baseline case predates the acquisition of
land within the project sites by Dynatec. Thus, resettlement is included as part of
the project and will be assessed in the EA.
Project
The project description (Volume A, Section 3) reflects the following:
•
input from public consultation as well as regulatory and technical
workshops (Volume A, Section 6);
•
conservative estimates of the layout, project duration, and emissions;
and
•
environmental and social considerations to reduce potential impacts.
The project is designed to mitigate the potential negative effects and enhance the
potential positive effects wherever possible.
Ambatovy Project
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January 2006
