Environmental Assessment
Volume E-5.4
Tailings Facility
Human and Ecological Health
Ambatovy Project
225
January 2006
Table 5.4-2 Residual Impact Classification for the Tailings Facility Area on
Human and Aquatic Health Effects
Direction Magnitude
Geographic
Extent
Duration
Reversibility Frequency Environmental
Consequence
Key Question HH-1
What Effect Will Chemical Releases From the Tailings Facility Site Have on Human
Health?
negative
low to
negligible
local
long-term
(operation and post -
closure)
reversible
high
low to
negligible
Key Question HH-2
What Effect Will Chemical Releases From the Tailings Facility Site Have on Livelihood
Resources?
negative
low to
negligible
local
long-term
(operation and post -
closure)
reversible
high
low to
negligible
Key Question EH-1
What Effect Will Chemical Releases From the Tailings Facility Site Have on Aquatic
Life Health?
negative
low to
negligible
local
long-term
(operation and post -
closure)
reversible
high
low to
negligible
5.4.4.7 Monitoring
No further monitoring beyond what was planned under the Water Quality
assessment is warranted.
5.4.5
Conclusions
The human and ecological health assessment evaluated the potential for adverse
effects to health associated with drainage from the tailings facility site in
combination with baseline conditions. Human exposure to drinking water and
fish ingestion and aquatic life exposure to water and sediment were evaluated as
well as potential effects on changes in livelihood resources (fish, produce and
livestock) due to impacts on surface water quality. Potential effects were rated as
low to negligible for all receptors (people, aquatic life, livestock and produce).
The assessment was based on many conservative assumptions (for explanations
on the conservative approach of the assessment refer to “Layer of Safety” in
Volume K, Appendix 4.2). The prediction of confidence that risk has not been
underestimated can be rated as moderate to high.
