Environmental Assessment
Volume B-5.2
Mine
Cultural Property
Ambatovy Project
356
January 2006
5.2.5.3 Impact Analysis
Residual Impacts
The residual impacts during each project period are summarized in Table 5.2-3.
Table 5.2-3 Potential Effects and Residual Impacts for Cultural Resources
Project
Period
Potential Effects
Mitigation
Residual Impacts
construction perturbation of the
landscape and
associated cultural
resources sites
relocation of tombs
disinvestment of sacred
nature of waterfall
neutral magnitude, but permanent
and irreversible effects
operations
increased presence of
non-local workers in the
region
cultural sensitivity training
potential moderate magnitude,
medium-term and reversible
effects on cultural resources
adjacent to mine site
off-site hydrologic and
erosion impacts
maintenance of hydrologic
regimes; erosion control
along access corridor
none
closure
none
none
none
5.2.5.4 Mitigation
Although the sacred waterfall in the mine area cannot be relocated, its sacred
aspect can be modified. This is accomplished by virtue of the people’s loss of
contact with it – if rituals cannot be conducted there, it is no longer considered
sacred by them. Such cases are common in Madagascar, occurring for example,
in areas of urban expansion. For this to occur, however, proper protocol
involving correct rites and rituals must be observed. Discussions and
negotiations with resident groups will be necessary in this regard.
Any resettlement that may be required also implies a requirement to relocate
tombs or other cultural sites associated with the households that have to be
resettled, irrespective of their proximity to the actual construction impact zones.
Secondary impacts will be mitigated by maintenance of hydrologic regimes, as
described in Volume B, Section 3.8, and by erosion control along the sides of the
mine access corridor.
Tertiary impacts will be mitigated through educating non-locals of the local
cultural practices and by ensuring that non-local workers avoid visiting cultural
resource sites adjacent to the direct impact zone of the development.
