Fact Sheet
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6.12 Amphibians
Effects Assessment
Fact Sheet:
6.12 Amphibians
Effects Assessment
―
Key Facts
 Construction and operation of the Project could lead to a habitat loss
and alteration, sensory disturbance to some amphibians, disruption
of movement, direct mortality, and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
 KGHM Ajax Mining Inc. (KAM) will protect amphibian populations
by avoiding breeding sites, relocating amphibians to other suitable
habitats, building new breeding areas, limiting traffic, and closely
monitoring water quality.
The Amphibians Effects Assessment examines
Scientists then carried out a number of studies
how the Ajax Project could affect amphib-
to better understand amphibian communities
ians, such as frogs, toads, salamanders, and
in the area through road surveys, auditory sur-
newts. Amphibians are cold-blooded animals
veys, and search surveys.
that spend the early part of their life in calm
water and breathe through gills, like fish. Since
amphibians lay their eggs in water, they are particularly sensitive to changes in water quality.
Amphibian species in the Project region
include the long-toed salamander, the Columbia spotted frog, the Great Basin spadefoot,
the Northern Pacific treefrog (also known as
the Pacific chorus frog), and the Western toad.
The Great Basin spadefoot and the Western
toad have been listed as threatened species
and deemed to require special conservation
status.
 How This Was Studied
Wildlife scientists collected information on
amphibians near the Project during baseline
studies conducted in 2008, 2010, and 2014.
Baseline studies resulted in scientists mapping
over 173 hectares (ha) of suitable amphibian
breeding habitat within the 7,167-ha Project
area.
Scientists also considered water quality when
evaluating possible Project effects to amphibians and their habitat
 Potential Effects
Researchers found six notable potential effects
to amphibians from Project construction and
industrial operation: loss of habitat, habitat
alteration, sensory disturbance, disruption of
movement, direct mortality, and exposure to
hazardous chemicals.
Additionally, the team noted the Project is
located in an area where water quality has
KGHM Ajax Mining Inc.: Fact Sheet
6.12 Amphibians Effects Assessment
already been affected by a variety of human
Overall, scientists concluded that Project activi-
activities, from ranching to road salting. These
ties will initially reduce amphibian numbers,
activities have resulted in water quality levels
but amphibians will still have good breeding
below the B.C. water quality guidelines for rec-
habitat throughout the Local Study Area (LSA)
reation, which could affect aquatic plants and
and Regional Study Area (RSA) to support their
animals or the wildlife that eat them.
populations.
 How KAM Will Mitigate Effects
KAM will manage Project effects on amphibians through actions detailed in its Wildlife and
Vegetation Management Plan. This plan includes
a variety of detailed measures to protect
amphibians, including the following:
• Avoid amphibian breeding sites (i.e. wetlands) whenever and wherever possible;
• Mark known breeding sites as “exclusion
areas” and train personnel on the importance of avoiding disturbance within these
areas;
• Limit vegetation clearing during the critical
times when eggs, tadpoles, and juveniles
will be present (April through August);
• If any amphibians are found before the
removal of a habitat, a biologist will move
or “translocate” them to another nearby
suitable habitat outside of the area of
disturbance;
• Create artificial “diversion pools,” or locations where amphibians can breed that are
away from mining activity;
• Enforce speed limits and minimize the
number of vehicles using site roads to
reduce the number of amphibians killed by
vehicles; and
• Reduce amphibian exposure to chemical
hazards by closely managing water quality.
Some habitat removal and loss is unavoidable,
specifically in areas where project components
are located, such as building sites, the mine
site, and roads. However, in areas beyond the
footprint of Project infrastructure, amphibianbreeding sites will not be removed.
KGHM Ajax Mining Inc.: Fact Sheet
6.12 Amphibians Effects Assessment
Questions & Answers
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 Where Can I Review the Detailed
Amphibian Data Collected?
The detailed information from the Amphibians
Effects Assessment is available in (Appendix 6.8-A
of the Application/EIS).
 Will KAM Partner with Conservation Groups to Help Protect
Amphibians?
Yes, KAM will foster stewardship agreements
with landowners and local government that
contribute to the conservation of amphibians
in the region and development of habitat.
Additionally, KAM will develop research partnerships with Thompson Rivers University to
study amphibian movement and habitat and
work with the BC Frogwatch Program.
 Does this Assessment Consider
Accidents or Spills?
No, this study focused on normal impacts from
construction and operation. The unlikely potential for accidental spills and/or malfunctions is
addressed in the Accidents and Malfunctions
report and the Spill Contingency Plan.
KGHM Ajax Mining Inc.
124 Seymour Street
Kamloops BC, V2C 2E1
tel. (+1) 250 374 5446
fax (+1) 250 374 5443
www.ajaxmine.ca