Environmental Assessment
Volume E-5.2
Tailings Facility
Cultural Property
Ambatovy Project
203
January 2006
are difficult to predict, but can be mitigated. They are only broadly alluded to in
this assessment.
5.2.5.2 Assessment Criteria
The assessment criteria used for cultural resources are presented in Table 5.2-2.
Table 5.2-2 Impact Description Criteria for Cultural Resources
Direction
Magnitude
Geographic
Extent
Duration
Reversibility
Frequency
neutral:
no
effect on
cultural
resources
negative:
cultural
resources are
destroyed
negligible
: no
measurable
effect on cultural
resources
moderate:
tertiary impact
on cultural
resources
high:
primary
impact on
cultural
resources
local:
effect
restricted to the
tailings facility
regional:
effect
extends beyond the
tailings facility
(secondary
impacts)
medium
term:
3 to 30
years
long term:
>30 years to
permanent
reversible or
irreversible
low:
occurs
once
medium:
occurs
intermittently
high:
occurs
continuously
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, symbolic
tombs, and ceremonial sites
excavation of five
archaeological sites
neutral magnitude, but permanent
and irreversible effects
operations
increased presence of non-
local workers in region
cultural sensitivity training
potential moderate magnitude,
medium-term and reversible effects
on cultural resources adjacent to
tailings facility
off-site hydrologic and
erosion impacts
staged development, erosion
control, reclamation
none
closure
none
none
none
