Summary
For effects on area of conservation significance, the mine will impact
300 ha of the Torotorofotsy Ramsar site and the slurry pipeline will
impact an additional 70 ha. Combined, the mine and pipeline will result
in clearing 370 ha of vegetation from this 9,300 ha area (4%). These
impacts will be mitigated as described in the flora section for the mine
and slurry pipeline. This combined impact is moderate in magnitude and
regional in geographic extent because it extends beyond one Local
Study Area. Because impacts were rated as local in extent in the
individual mine and pipeline assessments, they were considered low in
magnitude in both individual assessments.
Torotorofotsy Ramsar site
As required by the ToR, an economic evaluation of residual project
impacts on biodiversity has been conducted for the mine and other
project elements. This methodology is developing, especially when
considering impacts from a single project as opposed to eco-regional
analyses. However, economic evaluation helps consider a range of
impacts that are otherwise very difficult to appraise and compare.
Economic impacts are assessed through consideration of ecological
services provided by high biodiversity habitats, especially forests. In
addition, project benefits from biodiversity offsets are described in terms
of carbon sequestration. Where possible, project impacts to ecological
services have been estimated in dollar terms. Main ecological services
determined to be of relevance in the analysis were:
•
atmospheric gas regulation by natural vegetation;
Ankeniheny–Zahamena forest
corridor
•
regulation and maintenance of water flows by undisturbed
watersheds;
•
erosion control and sediment retention by undisturbed watersheds;
•
detoxification of contaminants by forests and wetlands;
•
food production in natural and agro-ecosystems; and
•
supply of raw materials.
The whole project macroeconomic analysis provides the best overview
of project economic benefits. The economic benefits will be derived from
three major areas of activity:
•
direct project investment;
•
increased consumption by workers employed both directly and
indirectly as a result of the project; and
•
government spending of increased revenues generated from the
project.
January 2006
Ambatovy Project — 49
