Summary
flora and fauna, including fish, their habitats and to biodiversity in
general. Combined with the proponent’s involvement in a buffer zone
Forest Management Plan, plus on and off site azonal conservation
areas, biodiversity should increase in previously altered habitats in the
regional study area.
The greatest cumulative effect for traffic is expected to occur along the
new direct access road between the port and process plant. Several
other future projects have a relatively high probability to require this road
for substantial traffic volumes, including the Logistique Pétrolière
Terminal and the dry port development. Cumulatively, these
developments will result in a substantial traffic increase both on the
portion within Toamasina (which is presently congested) and south of
Toamasina (which is presently a little-used dirt road). This cumulative
impact will mainly be mitigated by improvement of the road.
CONCLUSION
The success of the Ambatovy Project requires that the needs of
Malagasy people are addressed and that their concerns are fully
assessed in the EA. Through project disclosure and consultation the
proponent has been made aware of the socio-economic challenges
facing Malagasy people and the many linkages between people and the
environment in Madagascar. Having an EA team comprised of
Malagasy and international specialists, plus undertaking extensive
consultations, has allowed key issues to be identified upon which to
focus the EA.
Key socioeconomic issues include the need to optimize benefits to
Malagasy individuals, businesses, communities and the national
government. These issues are addressed through proposed local hiring
and training programs, support for local businesses and payment of
taxes and royalties. Potential negative socioeconomic effects are
addressed through resettlement planning and programs concerning
health, wellbeing and cultural sites. The project also offers to provide
planning assistance and capacity building as a contribution toward
enhancing the net benefits.
Key environmental issues that are being addressed include potential
impacts to water quantity and quality below the mine and tailings areas,
plus potential impacts to biodiversity at the mine site, and subsequent
effects on people in the project area. Water management is a project
priority, with a commitment to monitoring and ongoing consultation with
local people, to gauge the effectiveness of mitigations and quickly
address any deficiencies. The high importance accorded to biodiversity,
especially in the mine area, has been reflected in extensive baseline
studies, interactions with the design team and impact analyses. A main
mitigation is a commitment to on-site and off-site conservation areas.
Along with future monitoring, these mitigation and compensation
January 2006
Ambatovy Project — 52
