Environmental Assessment
Volume D-1
Process Plant
Alternatives Considered
1
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Several alternatives were analyzed by the project proponents for the process plant
component of the Ambatovy Project (the project). Each alternative was accessed
for its relative engineering, cost, environmental and social advantages or
disadvantages to that particular component of the project. The selection of a
preferred alternative in some cases eliminated or reduced options for other
components to the project. Alternatives for the following process plant
components were investigated during the design of the project:
•
Process Selection, Nickel Recovery Process.
•
Power and Steam Supply.
•
Process Plant Location.
•
Water Sources.
•
Refinery Location.
The alternatives analyzed for each component of the process plant are
summarized in Tables 1-1 through 1-5. The ranking of criteria presented are only
relative and provide a summary of the analyses of alternatives conducted.
Table 1-1
Analysis of Alternatives – Process Selection, Nickel Recovery
Process
Alternative
Engineering
Relative Cost Environmental
Social
pressure acid leach (PAL)
process: sulphuric acid
leaching at high temperature
and pressure (preferred)
higher metal
recoveries
low capital, low
operating costs
minimal impact minimal
negative
impact
Caron Process: reduction
roast ammonia leach
not amenable to this
ore body (lower
metal recoveries)
moderate
capital and
operating costs
equivalent
impact
equivalent
impact
smelting
not applicable for this
ore body
not applicable
not applicable
not
applicable
Ambatovy Project
1
January 2006
