Environmental Assessment
Volume B-3.10
Mine
Visual Aesthetics
Ambatovy Project
147
January 2006
3.10.5.5 Impact Analysis
Residual Impacts
Following mitigation, the residual effects during each project period are
summarized in Table 3.10-3.
Table 3.10-3 Potential Effects and Residual Impacts for Visual Aesthetics
Project Period
Potential Effects
Mitigation
Residual Impacts
construction and
operations
clearing of land and
changes in mine
landforms
progressive reclamation
low-magnitude modification of
visible landscape from key
viewpoints
changes in visible
facilities and machinery
location of activity is almost entirely
out of public view
negligible impact on key
viewpoints
changes in light
pollution
fully shielded lights directed away
from viewers
negligible impact on key
viewpoints
changes in visible
emissions and dust
dust control measures
low-magnitude effects which may
be visible from longer distances
closure
clearing of land and
changes in mine
landforms
contouring and revegetation of
landforms to a natural appearance
low magnitude / long-term
modification visible landscape
changes in visible
facilities and machinery
decommissioning and removal of
facilities and machinery
none
Clearing of land and mine landform changes will occur throughout construction
and operations phases; progressive reclamation will be initiated during the
operations phase and will be complete following closure. Among the mine
landforms that may be visible are open pits with steep pit walls, waste areas and
pond systems. The magnitude of landform visual impacts is considered moderate
during operations and low following closure.
The geographic extent of impacts is local, as rough topography obscures the
views of most areas outside the LSA. The most prominent impacts (during
operations) are medium-term, while the lower-magnitude impacts of the
reclaimed mine landforms are long-term. Landform impacts are not reversible,
as the landscape will not be returned to its initial state. Viewing frequency is
medium, as viewers will intermittently be at specific viewpoints from which the
project will be visible. Overall, the environmental consequence for visual effects
is low for the construction, operation and closure phases.
The construction of mine facilities will have an impact negligible in magnitude,
since such facilities will be very difficult to see from outside the mine area itself.
Effects are local in extent, medium-term in duration (during construction and
operations only) and are reversible. Viewing frequency is expected to be low due
