Environmental Assessment
Volume B-3.4
Mine
Climate and Air Quality
Ambatovy Project
42
January 2006
3.4
CLIMATE AND AIR QUALITY
3.4.1
Introduction
This section of the Ambatovy Project (the project) Environmental Assessment
(EA) presents an air quality impact assessment of the mine as required by the
Terms of Reference (ToR) from the Madagascar National Office for the
Environment (ONE 2004). The information presented includes details on the
following:
•
air quality concerns identified by stakeholders and regulators;
•
project activities that may affect air quality;
•
mitigations incorporated in the project design for these impacts;
•
the existing air quality in the study area;
•
the dispersion model used for the assessment;
•
impact assessment approach and results for key air quality issues; and
•
monitoring recommendations and identified mitigations to reduce
residual air quality impacts associated with the mine.
Potential air quality issues identified in the EA include:
•
emissions from diesel-fired generators;
•
emissions from mine fleet vehicles; and
•
dust generated by mine vehicles.
The air quality assessment includes a comprehensive evaluation of the effects on
atmospheric concentrations and deposition values that could result from
emissions from all significant project sources. Although the air quality
assessment is complete as a stand-alone evaluation, it also forms an integral part
of the overall evaluation of the project, with information being supplied to
biological and social disciplines.
The focus of the air assessment is to evaluate changes in the regional air quality
and determine compliance with applicable regulations. The effects of air quality
on environmental receptors such as human health, wildlife health, aquatic
resources and terrestrial resources are addressed in the appropriate sections of
Volume B.
