Environmental Assessment
Volume B-7
Mine
Environmental and Social
Management Plans
Ambatovy Project
405
January 2006
7.1
PRE-CONSTRUCTION STUDIES
7.1.1
Water Management Plan
As part of the water management plan, ephemeral pools to be protected in on-site
azonal areas will be assessed for sensitivity to acidification before the project
begins. Water samples will be analyzed and if found to have chemical properties
sensitive to acidification, a monitoring program will be developed and
implemented for the operations phase.
Studies will be conducted related to total suspended solids (TSS) in flows from
the mine during severe cyclones under baseline conditions. Predictive modelling
is being conducted for greater than 1:10 year storm events.
7.1.2
Flora and Fauna Management Plans
Taxonomic studies will be completed before construction begins, including
inventories at onsite and offsite areas. Flora species of concern lists will be
re-assessed as the updated species distribution in these areas is verified. Off-site
fauna surveys will focus on key species that are found on-site and close to the
mine, especially rare species such as the two snakes new to science only found
on the mine footprint.
In addition, a forest management plan will be developed for the mine area, with
the purpose of protecting key buffer forest habitats as well as providing areas for
productive land use.
7.1.3
Fish and Aquatics Management Plan
An offsite azonal protection area survey of ephemeral ponds will be conducted to
determine if similar biological properties exist to mine site footprint ponds.
7.2
CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS PHASE
ACTIVITIES
7.2.1
Water Management Plan
To ensure that water flow volumes downstream from the mine are not
substantially lowered, an intake pipeline will be constructed to bring water from
the Mangoro River. Suspended solids will be monitored in the Mangoro River
immediately downstream during construction of the Mangoro Intake.
