Update on environmental initiatives

January 2009

Environmental impact mitigation

Since 1995, the Ambatovy Joint Venture's environmental team, assisted by various consultants, has been conducting a baseline analysis of habitats, flora and fauna. Stringent impact mitigation strategies have been developed to preserve species and unique habitats through avoidance, mitigation, compensation and net gain. The Government of Madagascar granted an unconditional permit for all project components and phases after a rigorous 6-month review process involving public consultation.

Forest protection

As the mine site is located in a forest area, the Ambatovy Project taking protective measures, including: maintaining a forest buffer zone, replanting native species and developing erosion controls, among other activities.

Water management

Treating water at the plant site is essential to the Ambatovy Project's environmental plan. A tailings facility will be designed to specific international standards and constructed with consideration to the high rainfall common to the region. The tailings area will be progressively reclaimed throughout the life of the project.

Business and Biodiversity Offset Program (BBOP)

Ambatovy is a pilot project for BBOP, a partnership between companies, governments and non-governmental experts to manage biodiversity by producing positive conservation outcomes though offset programs. The aim of these programs is to achieve no net loss of biodiversity and possibly achieve net gains. The main BBOP offset consists of about 11,600 hectares.

Wildlife conservation

The Ambatovy Project’s biodiversity management program covers about 4,900 hectares of forest for conservation surrounding the mine footprint. Since 2007, over 100 individual lemurs from 10 species have been equipped with radio collars to allow for monitoring. Learn more at www.ambatovy.com.