Environmental Assessment
Volume B-5.4
Mine
Human and Ecological Health
Ambatovy Project
367
January 2006
5.4
HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL HEALTH
5.4.1
Introduction
The Human and Ecological Health Environmental Assessment (EA) includes an
evaluation of effects of chemical emissions on humans, human ecological
resources and aquatic life receptors. In evaluating the potential impacts on health
resulting from activities associated with the Ambatovy Project (the project),
chemical emissions from the mine were considered in combination with other
existing sources and background concentrations in the environment.
The issues related to water quality are particularly important for the project given
the sensitivity of this resource, its key role in natural ecosystems (such as the
Torotorofotsy Wetlands), and its usage in day-to-day life in Madagascar
(drinking water, watering livestock, rice paddies and fishing). Questions
concerning potential health effects associated with changes in water quality and
quantity were also raised during public consultation with local stakeholders on
the development of the mine and are listed in the project Terms of Reference.
Therefore the assessment of impacts on chemical emissions on human and
ecological receptors in the mine area has a strong focus on the aquatic pathways.
Additional issues are the potential impact on air, soil and food quality that might
arise from upset conditions and emissions that could affect human and ecological
health as well as livelihood resources (livestock, crops and fisheries) which are
also addressed here. Potential impacts on terrestrial flora and fauna health are
evaluated in Section 4 (Biological Assessment) in this volume.
A brief summary of baseline assessment for the mine area is provided in
Section 5.4.3 (Baseline Summary). Discussion of potential incremental effects
caused by the project to human and aquatic life heath are presented in
Section 5.4.4 (Impact Assessment).
5.4.2
Study Areas
The human health assessment focused on the town of Moramanga and four rural
communities that surround the ore body: Morarano Gare, Ambohibary,
Ampasimpotsy and Andasibe (Volume A, Section 7.2, Figure 7.2-1).
The aquatic study area is based on surface water features potentially directly
affected by the mine and ancillary activities. This includes the rivers, streams,
ephemeral ponds, springs and wetlands within the drainages directly affected
(i.e., footprint of the mine and ancillary activities) or indirectly affected
