Summary
contributing to economic and social development through employment,
business opportunities and training, as well as through support of
planned urban growth.
The current plan calls for closure after 27 years. It is likely that this will
occur later as a result of the addition of reserves at the mine site over
time and the plant site being able to continue to operate using ore from
other Madagascar or offshore sources. One of the goals of the project
leading up to closure will be the sustainability of the local community,
with the aim to leave it in a viable position to continue to prosper and
build on the socioeconomic progress made through the life of the project
and plant operation.
Closure
The cultural sites within the plant site will be relocated. For this to occur
in a culturally acceptable manner, proper protocol involving correct rites
and rituals will be observed. Discussions and negotiations with resident
groups will be necessary in this regard, facilitated by the proponents’
Malagasy cultural specialists. Any archaeological sites deemed of value
by regulators and local experts, which cannot be re-located, will be
visited by a Malagasy archaeologist and excavated prior to disturbance
to record information from each location.
Culture
Reclamation and Closure
At the time of project completion, the plant will be assessed for potential
future use in other industrial projects. It is expected that the site will be
partially decommissioned and sold to another industrial user so that the
benefits of the constructed facilities can continue to support the local
economy. Buildings and infrastructure at the site with no useful function
will be dismantled and removed from the site at the time of project
closure. Waste materials will be removed from the site and disposed of
properly.
Monitoring
The process plant would be the largest industry in the Toamasina area.
Ambient air monitoring beyond the fence line and process monitoring will
take place to ensure emission criteria are met. Consultation will take
place with local communities to address any issues or concerns
residents may have, particularly with respect to any odour issues.
Social monitoring programs, ongoing consultations and the grievance
and dispute resolution mechanisms are also critical to capturing the
actual effects of urbanization so that these can be addressed with
additional mitigation where warranted. These mechanisms are
important, since while the types of effects can be predicted to some
extent, the magnitude of the effects and the individuals specifically
affected cannot be.
January 2006
Ambatovy Project — 33
