Visual Impact Assessment January 2013

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1 Measures Maintain as much natural vegetation as possible between the mine buildings and the perimeter of the mine. The layout for mine buildings should include vegetation such as trees and thicket to break up straight lines of buildings as much as possible. A landscape architect should be consulted to aid in designing a practical layout that will create least contrast in colour, texture and pattern with the surrounding landscape. Non-reflective paint should be used on all buildings and roofs of buildings. Galvanised steel structures should be darkened to prevent glare. Muted colours that blend in with the natural background vegetation/landscape should be used on all buildings. Colours that blend in with colours of the earth, rocks and vegetation are normally more visually pleasing than colours chosen to match the sky. Rehabilitate temporary areas cleared during construction. Dust emissions in and around the mine site must be strictly managed and limited. Refer to section for measures to reduce the potential impact of night lighting. Significance Statement The temporal scale for the impact is long term (life time of mining operation). The spatial scale of the visual impact is study area since high and medium visual exposure is limited to the mine permit and adjacent areas. The severity of the impact will be severe because the mine is surrounded by the PK 32 Ranobe protected area (see Table on page 20) and visual receptors (viewers and viewpoints) in a protected area are highly sensitive to changes in the landscape which will occur if a mine with associated structures and equipment is developed on the site. The likelihood of the impact occurring is may occur since there are a number of villages within the viewshed as well as a section of the N9, but they are more than 8 km from the mine site. Tourists are unlikely to have access to viewpoints on the plateau east of the mine site. The overall significance of the visual impact on sensitive viewers is medium before mitigation and will remain medium thereafter. measures will reduce visual intrusion (colour and vegetation screening) and spatial extent of the impact (dust emission control). Table 5-10: Significance of the visual impact of large buildings and structures at the mine site on sensitive visual receptors. Effect Risk or (Operational Temporal Severity of Spatial Scale Likelihood Phase) Scale Overall Significance Buildings and structures at the mine site out Long Term Study Area Severe May Occur Medium Long Term Study Area Severe May Occur Medium : Visual intrusion of a haul road and large vehicle traffic on existing views of sensitive visual receptors Cause and Comment There are two aspects to the haul road that are likely to cause visual intrusion on existing views. One is the road itself which is a large structure which potentially affects a large area. It will be at 12 m wide and its surface will contrast strongly with surrounding vegetation. The other aspect is that of traffic. Large road train trucks with four wagons/trailers will use the road daily. Fuel for generators at the mine will be transported from Toliara in fuel transport trucks. Other traffic will include supply trucks, staff and mineworker transport and small vehicle traffic. Traffic at this scale is not common in the region (limited mostly to the N7 south of Toliara) and will alter the 34

2 sense of place of the surrounding landscape considerably. Dust generated by vehicles will potentially increase the spatial extent of the visual impact and will also reduce the quality of views. Measures Minimise clearing of vegetation for the road. Gentle curves in the road can reduce visual penetration (how much of the road can be seen from any one point). In other words, avoid long, straight sections of road where possible and within safety parameters. Strict dust control and management should be employed. Significance Statement Haul Route Option 1 The temporal scale for the impact is permanent. The spatial scale of the visual impact is regional due to the length of the haul route. The severity of the impact will be severe because the preferred route will potentially affect highly sensitive visual receptors in a protected area as well as residents of currently isolated villages (north of Fiherenana River and south-east of the route Option 1). The likelihood of the impact occurring is definite since the route is in close proximity to a number of villages. The overall significance of the visual impact on sensitive viewers is high before and after mitigation due to the number of highly sensitive visual receptors that will be affected. Haul Route Option 2 The temporal scale for the impact is permanent. The spatial scale of the visual impact is regional due to the length of the haul route. The severity of the impact will be medium to high due to highly sensitive visual receptors in the PK 32 Ranobe protected area that will potentially be affected. The likelihood of the impact occurring is probable since due to the length of the proposed road (raised likelihood that visual receptors will be in close proximity to a part of the road). The overall significance of the visual impact on sensitive viewers is high. Haul Route Option 3 The temporal scale for the impact is permanent. The spatial scale of the visual impact is regional due to the length of the haul route. The severity of the impact will be severe due to the large number of highly sensitive visual receptors that will potentially be adversely affected (high visual intrusion). The likelihood of the impact occurring is definite due to the large number of visual receptors that will be affected. The overall significance of the visual impact on sensitive viewers is high. Causeway and Haul Road south of Fiherenana River The temporal scale for the impact is permanent (it is unclear whether the haul road will be removed/rehabilitated on decommissioning of the project). The spatial scale of the visual impact is study area since high visual exposure to this section of the haul road is limited to a relatively small area. The severity of the impact will be severe due to the large number of highly sensitive visual receptors that will potentially be adversely affected (high visual intrusion on views of the sea among others). The likelihood of the impact occurring is definite due to the large number of visual receptors that will be affected. The overall significance of the visual impact on sensitive viewers is high. 35

3 Table 5-11: Significance of the visual impact of a haul road and traffic on sensitive visual receptors in the region Effect Risk or (Operational Temporal Severity of Spatial Scale Likelihood Phase) Scale Overall Significance Haul Route Option 1 out Permanent Regional Severe Definite High Permanent Regional Severe Definite High Haul Route Option 2 out Moderate to Permanent Regional severe Probable High Moderate to Permanent Regional Severe Probable High Haul Route Option 3 out Permanent Regional Severe Definite High Permanent Regional Severe Definite High Haul Road to Jetty out Permanent Study Area Severe Definite High Permanent Study Area Severe Definite High : Visual intrusion of a jetty and storage sheds on existing views of sensitive visual receptors Cause and Comment The jetty and transfer station with storage sheds are large industrial type structures proposed for a site on a beach with few existing structures. The tall buildings will intrude on existing views of the sea and empty beach. Several times a day large road trains will pass through these views to deliver ore to the transfer station, and other trucks will transport large containers to the port of Toliara from the transfer station. Large ships will dock at the jetty to take on mineral products. Existing views of the sea will be completely altered by the proposed development, including views from some hotels in Toliara. There are artisanal salt farms between residents and the jetty site but these are not industrialised salt works and do not evoke an industrial sense of place, whereas the jetty and its associated structures, activities and equipment are likely to alter the existing sense of place. Measures The site locality and structure size and type are such that mitigation measures will not have much effect on the intensity of the impact. Screening of the structures will add to the visual intrusion of the development and is not practical due to the size and height of structures. However, a few measures will reduce the severity of the impact: Non-reflective paint should be used on all buildings and roofs of buildings. Galvanised steel structures should be darkened to prevent glare. Muted colours that blend in with the natural beach colours should be used on all buildings. Dust emissions in and around the jetty site must be strictly managed. Refer to section for measures to reduce the potential impact of night lighting. 36

4 Significance Statement The temporal scale for the impact is long term since most of the visually intrusive structures and buildings can be removed and the landscape returned to the pre-development state. The spatial scale of the visual impact is study area since high visual exposure is limited to a relatively small area around the jetty site. The severity of the impact will be severe because visual intrusion on views of highly sensitive visual receptors in close proximity to the site is likely to be high. It is not very severe because views are not pristine and are influenced by proximity to the relatively large town of Toliara. The likelihood of the impact occurring is definite since many visual receptors currently have views of an almost empty beach. The overall significance of the visual impact on sensitive viewers is high before and after mitigation due to the number of highly sensitive visual receptors that will be affected. If dust emissions are not managed appropriately then it is likely that the significance of the impact will be much higher since it will affect the aesthetics of views and will affect more visual receptors. (Operational Phase) out Temporal Scale Effect Severity of Spatial Scale Jetty and Transfer Station Risk or Likelihood Overall Significance Long Term Study Area Severe Definite High Long Term Study Area Severe Definite High : of night lighting of various components of proposed development on the nightscape of the surrounding landscape Cause and Comment The current nightscape of the area proposed for the mine and haul routes (option 1 and 2 in particular) is dark. The mine will require numerous lights, many of which will be very bright (security lights) and will potentially cause glare and sky glow. Traffic on the haul road will also add to light pollution in a region that is currently dark. Lights at the jetty site will have less of an effect on the nightscape since light pollution (sky glow) from Toliara is already high and additional lights, if care is taken, should not contribute significantly to the existing sky glow. Glaring lights at the jetty site may affect visual receptors along the edge of town. Measures A lighting plan that documents the design, layout and technology used for lighting purposes should be prepared, indicating how nightscape impacts will be minimised for the mine site as well as the jetty and transfer station. Particular attention should be paid to lighting that may affect residents living on the edge of Toliara avoid glaring lights facing towards town (from the jetty site). Lighting of the facility should not exceed, in number of lights and brightness, the minimum required for safety and security. Uplighting and glare (bright light) should be minimised using appropriate light screening features on all external lights. Light fixtures should not spill light beyond the project boundary (light trespass). Timer switches or motion detectors should be used to control lighting in areas that are not occupied continuously. Lighting of the haul road should be avoided or limited as much as possible within safety and security requirements. 37

5 Significance Statement Buildings and structures at mine site The temporal scale for the impact is long term. The spatial scale of the visual impact is study area since there are very few visual receptors that will be affected. The severity of the impact will be medium because the nightscape of the surrounding area is dark at the moment and new lights will be noticed. The likelihood of the impact occurring is definite since the existing nightscape is dark. The overall significance of the visual impact on sensitive viewers is medium before and after mitigation. Buildings and structures at jetty site The temporal scale for the impact is long term. The spatial scale of the visual impact is study area since visual receptors beyond Toliara or the Fiherenana River will associate the lights with Toliara. The severity of the impact will be medium due to a number of residents living on the western edge of Toliara who will be affected by new lights where there currently are none. The likelihood of the impact occurring is probable since new lights are introduced to an area of Toliara that is currently relatively dark. The overall significance of the visual impact on sensitive viewers is medium before mitigation and remains medium thereafter even though the mitigation measures will lower the severity of the impact as well as the spatial scale if adhered to. Table 5-12: Significance of impact on the nightscape of the region as a result of night lighting of components of the proposed development Effect Risk or (Operational Temporal Severity of Spatial Scale Likelihood Phase) Scale Overall Significance Structures and buildings at the mine site out Long Term Study Area Medium Definite Medium Long Term Study Area Medium Definite Medium Structures and buildings at the jetty site out Long Term Study Area Medium Probable Medium Long Term Study Area Low Probable Medium 38

6 6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS An opencast mine in a remote region of Madagascar will have an impact on its sense of place. Proximity to Toliara and the landscape transforming effects of deforestation in the surrounding region reduces this sense of remoteness somewhat, but some of the components of the proposed development will introduce elements that will potentially be highly intrusive such as large, multiwagon trucks travelling through rural areas where currently oxcarts are still a common form of transport, industrial type buildings and equipment in a rural area and a jetty with large storage sheds and large ships docking where there is currently an empty beach. The mine site is surrounded by the PK 32 Ranobe protected area, an area identified as an important site of biodiversity which currently faces pressures from numerous sources (Frontier- Madagascar 2005). Creating a protected area here is an attempt to slow down deforestation in the region, to provide forests time to recover and to protect remaining forests. It has not been entirely successful up to date and the natural vegetation in the mining area is degraded and disturbed, but in 2010 the area under protection was increased considerably indicating that PK 32 could become a permanent and officially recognised protected area of Madagascar. One of the objectives in regards to protected areas in Madagascar is to promote eco-tourism which means that in future access and facilities will be provided to tourists who are unlikely to be attracted to a region transformed by mining. It is therefore essential that the design, layout and management of the mine take cognisance of the fact that it is surrounded by a protected area where eco-tourism will play some part in its future. In terms of visual impact it is recommended that Haul Route Option 2 is used for the haul road as it will affect the lowest number of highly sensitive visual receptors. A professional landscape architect with knowledge and experience of the local landscape should be consulted when designing and laying out mine buildings and structures in order to reduce visual intrusion as much as possible. A lighting specialist should be consulted to design a lighting plan for the mine and jetty which will minimise light pollution such as glare, light trespass and sky glow. 39

7 7. REFERENCES, Toliara Sands Project - Ranobe, Final Scoping Report, Grahamstown, South Africa: CES. Frontier-Madagascar, The Southern Mikea: A Biodiversity Survey, UK: Society for Environmental Exploration. Available at: publications.co.uk/reports/madagascar/forest/southernmikea /fmer12southernmikeabiodivsurvey.pdf [Accessed November 27, 2012]. Gardner, C.J. et al., The lemur diversity of the Fiherenana - Manombo Complex, southwest Madagascar. Madagascar Conservation & Development, 4(1), pp GLVIA, Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Assessment 2nd ed., United Kingdom: Spon Press. INSTAT, Population & démographie. INSTAT - Institut National De La Statistique. Available at: [Accessed November 28, 2012]. IUCN, Guidelines for Protected Area Management Categories, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: CNPPA and WCMC. Available at: [Accessed May 26, 2010]. IUCN & UNEP, The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA). Available at: [Accessed January 4, 2011]. Oberholzer, B., Guideline for involving visual & aesthetic specialists in EIA processes, Cape Town: CSIR, Provincial Government of the Western Cape, Department of Environmental Affairs & Development. Available at: ONE, The National Environmental Policy in Madagascar. Madagascar Environment Online. Available at: [Accessed November 19, 2012]. Randriamahaleo, S., Madagascar POWPA Project. Available at: gascar%20application%20round%204%20post%20itrc.doc [Accessed November 28, 2012]. Tannant, D.D. & Regensburg, B., Guidelines for Mine Haul Road Design, Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada: University of British Columbia. Available at: [Accessed November 19, 2012]. 40

8 8. APPENDIX 1 MAPS 41

9 Map 8-1: Topography of the region surrounding the proposed development. Cross sections along topographic profile lines are shown below 42