Environmental Assessment
Volume C-3.3
Slurry Pipeline
Climate and Air Quality
Ambatovy Project
33
January 2006
3.3.3
Baseline Summary
Rainfall patterns and amounts vary along the pipeline route. About 80% of the
rainfall at the mine site occurs from November to March. Rainfall at Toamasina
occurs year-round with rainfall amounts reaching more than double the amount
received at the mine site. Temperatures also vary along the pipeline route due to
elevation differences between the mine site and the east coast. Temperatures at
the mine site are typically cooler than at Toamasina.
Since the pipeline will be located mainly in rural areas and there are no major
industrial activities along the pipeline route, the air quality is expected to be
relatively good. In an air quality monitoring study done in southern Madagascar,
the air quality at all monitoring locations was classified as pristine (less than 20%
of the reference standard) or clean (20 to 39% of the reference standard)
(SENES 2001).
3.3.4
Impact Assessment
3.3.4.1 Issue Scoping
The main factors that may affect air quality are vehicle exhaust and dust
emissions during the construction of the pipeline. Air emissions from the
operations phase of the pipeline have not been identified; therefore, impacts on
air quality during the operation phase are not expected to occur.
The key question for air quality is:
Key Question AQ-1
How Will the Development of the Slurry Pipeline
Affect Air Quality?
Since the construction activities will be localized and temporary, changes to air
quality are expected to be negligible; therefore no further assessment was
conducted.
Mitigation
Although the effects on air quality during construction and operation of the
pipeline are expected to be minimal, mitigations will be incorporated. This
includes regular maintenance on construction vehicles and equipment, and
controlling dust during construction and operation of the slurry pipeline.
