Summary
In addition to the slurry pipeline route, access roads will be required for
people and equipment. These roads will create additional access to
watercourses crossed by the pipeline. Harvesting of flora and fauna by
project staff will be restricted to control direct impacts on terrestrial and
aquatic resources.
Monitoring
A survey team including Malagasy environmental and cultural specialists
will work with the engineering team before construction to fine tune the
route to further minimize impacts. Inspections during construction will
monitor the effectiveness of erosion and sediment control along the
route. Inspections of the route will be conducted during operations to
monitor the effectiveness of erosion control measures, slope stability,
stream bank stability and revegetated and reclaimed areas. Monitoring
to control rates of water withdrawal and disposal of hydrostatic test water
will ensure that impacts are minimized. A vegetation monitoring program
will be implemented during operations to ensure that specific vegetation
restoration efforts are successful in the reclaimed areas and that
vegetation cover is maintained to control erosion.
PROCESS PLANT
Social Context
The process plant will be located within Toamasina II commune. With
the exception of people living along the RN2 highway, where renting is
more common, most people have at least traditional rights to the land
they use. A census was conducted on 35 households in and near the
plant site. Wage employment takes a larger role in livelihood strategies
than it does at the mine site, since there are more opportunities for part
time or occasional work for people who live close to a large urban area.
Wage employment, artisanal production and business together account
for the primary economic activity for over 60% of the population near the
plant. The plant area is sparsely settled by new arrivals who are trying to
gain livelihoods through participation in wage employment and business.
However, there remains a dependence on agriculture.
During the assessment of the plant area, six tombs, four ceremonial sites
and four archaeological sites were found. All are within the plant
property boundary and are considered to be in the project footprint.
Culture
January 2006
Ambatovy Project — 25
