Ambatovy’s commitment to the environment was acknowledged with the presentation of a new ant species discovered by Brian Fisher, Ph.D., a renowned entomologist known for the identification and discovery of African ant species, and Chairman of the Department of Entomology at the California Academy of Sciences. Dr. Fisher presented a photograph of the new species to Ambatovy President, Mark Plamondon, on November 21, 2012 at the Ambatovy Plant Site.
The ant, Tetramorium Ambatovy, was discovered in one of Ambatovy’s conservation zones surrounding the Mine site that is protected as a part of Ambatovy’s offset conservation program in its areas of operations. The name Ambatovy was bestowed on the newly discovered species by Dr. Fisher as a recognition of Ambatovy’s dedication to biodiversity conservation and sustainability.
Ambatovy’s offset program is based on the Business and Biodiversity Offset Program (BBOP) and was a pilot project used in developing the BBOP Standards. Through partnerships like the one between Ambatovy and the California Academy of the Sciences, Ambatovy’s offset areas have been the subject of scientific expeditions, biodiversity research, and conservation activities which work with local people to safeguard natural resource sustainability.
