Summary
In addition to various mitigation measures intended to manage water
quality and quantity effects around the mine, the proponent will monitor
water flow and quality and engage in ongoing consultations with nearby
farmers. This will provide more information on the basis of which
mitigation can be improved. It will also provide the data necessary to
adequately address any grievances about water. Given the priority
accorded to improving water management for farmers in the communes
around the mine site, it is expected that the project will assist communes
in this regard, as part of additional social investment.
Water
The buffer zone forest management plan, being developed with the
Government of Madagascar and the local community, aims to preserve
the integrity of the forests around the mine while allowing for their
sustainable use. Although the plan will be developed in consultation with
stakeholders, it could limit access to specific areas and/or specific forest
resources, at short term cost to some people’s livelihoods. In the event
of grievances of this nature, the project will investigate to adequately
address them.
Forest use
People in the mine area are concerned that out-of-area workers and
economic migrants are a threat to health and safety within their
communities. There is a link between mining camps filled primarily with
men of single status and/or having increased income and public health
issues such as incidents of sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, single
parenthood, sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS,
substance abuse and crime. This association guides current best
practice in managing the behaviour of workers living in camps near rural
communities and in limiting the potential for contact between workers
and local people. Although the project will implement these best
practices, employees housed at camp, any new migrants, and in-transit
workers associated with the project, will inevitably interact in
unpredictable ways with people of the mine site area. Attention to the
potential for increasing the incidence of HIV/AIDS is particularly critical
given the low HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Madagascar and an
aggressive HIV/AIDS prevention program will be implemented.
Health and safety
The human and ecological health assessment evaluated the potential for
adverse effects to health associated with emissions from the mine.
Predicted impacts on human health due to possible changes in water,
soil, air and produce quality were considered negligible. Monitoring of
operational emissions will take place to confirm that guidelines are met
and that downstream impacts are minimized.
Consultation with people near
the mine
Impacts on livelihood resources, including agriculture, livestock and
fisheries due to changes in water quality during mine operation are also
considered negligible upon application of the water management plan.
The health and survival of fish and other aquatic resources, including
organisms living in the Torotorofotsy Wetlands, are also unlikely to be
affected by the mine.
January 2006
Ambatovy Project — 16
