Summary
For other water quality parameters during operations, it is predicted that
chromium will have the greatest increase over baseline, owing to run-off
from the mine and waste areas. However, because of mitigation, the
predicted concentrations for chromium and other parameters of concern
are below the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water
guidelines. During post-closure, predicted maximum concentrations for
all substances will be at or below baseline levels. Water quality and
suspended solids concentration will be monitored at the clarification
pond outlets and key downstream locations.
Biodiversity
Activities related to construction and operation of the mine will result in
vegetation losses, including rare habitat types. This is due to the direct
linkage of these rare azonal habitats with soils overlying the ore bodies.
There will be a loss of 1,326 ha of azonal and transitional vegetation
types, which represents 46% of these habitats in the local study area.
Forest types to be re-established through progressive reclamation will be
more zonal than azonal. As a result of the predicted high residual
impacts to biodiversity and the importance of azonal and transitional
areas to supporting rare plants and fauna within the mine area, the
proponent is proposing a comprehensive on- and off-site mitigation plan
to preserve key habitat elements. Given current trends in habitat loss
due to timber cutting for construction, firewood and charcoal production
within Madagascar, the proposed mitigation and compensation plan
should provide more positive long-term benefits to the region than if the
status quo (no project alternative) were to remain. The main mitigation
and compensation to address these impacts include:
Habitat level
•
two on-site azonal conservation areas totalling 305 ha will be
established within the bounds of the ore body complex to provide
protection for locally endemic plants, fauna and aquatic resources;
Azonal forest – Ambatovy
•
project participation in design and implementation of a cooperative
buffer zone forest management plan (FMP) with the Malagasy
government and stakeholders, to provide a framework for
sustainable forest management within the local region; and
•
establishment of an off-site azonal conservation area as part of the
compensation for the impact to this habitat type — a potential azonal
off-site conservation area on an ultra-basic outcrop was identified at
Ankera near Mantadia National Park during an aerial
reconnaissance of a number of ultra-basic sites located from
geological maps; work is continuing in this area.
The above biodiversity offsets together cover approximately 7,100 ha off-
site, compared to the impacts to natural habitats on the mine site during
construction and operations, which cover about 1,700 ha. This does not
take into account on-site mitigation initiatives, including progressive
reclamation. Thus for the mine, the offsets are four times the impacted
area.
January 2006
Ambatovy Project — 12
