Environmental Assessment
Volume B-6
Mine
Reclamation and Closure Plan
Ambatovy Project
398
January 2006
In the case of a no-mine scenario, restoration of all roads and platforms will be
performed. The project will fulfil requirements for a reclamation certificate to be
issued by ONE based on the criteria of canopy closure and establishment of a
progressive succession of vegetation communities.
6.3
MINE AND CLOSURE PLAN
The open pits will be developed using hydraulic excavators to excavate
progressively lower benches, reaching maximum depths of 50 m below the
existing terrain at certain locations. Following the completion of mining in any
one area, waste overburden from another area will be placed in benches back into
the mine. The benches will be graded into the slope and configured
longitudinally to direct runoff to a lined channel or drop pipe where the flow can
be discharged in a stable manner down the slope. Slope angles proposed in the
current mine plan have been determined to be stable for mining, but additional
investigations are required to determine if such slopes will be stable in the long-
term considering the climate and nature of the material. At the end of mining,
the open pits will each be partially but not completely backfilled with
overburden. Several low-lying areas will form ponds once dewatering ceases.
Consideration will be given to linking these ponds, where feasible, with first
order streams in the area, which will assist in the development of these ponds as
fish habitat.
All slopes will be re-graded and contoured to stable slopes considering the nature
of the material, to ensure long-term stability. The open pit slopes and floor will
be laterite soils without any organic content, and as with other portions of the
site, will require amendments such as mulch.
Two waste overburden stockpiles (Ambatovy waste stockpile and Analamay
waste stockpile) will remain at closure. In addition, a small ferricrete stockpile
will also remain. The stockpiles will be developed early in mine development,
consisting of the first waste material excavated from the open pits. The
stockpiles will be developed with stable slopes for long-term physical stability
and will be progressively reclaimed by revegetation as the stockpiles are
developed, meeting both interim stabilization requirements for sediment and
erosion control and long-term closure requirements.
Buildings at the mine site, most notably the ore preparation plant as well as any
ancillary buildings, will be dismantled and removed from site following closure.
Equipment and materials will be salvaged for reuse to the extent possible. Any
equipment and materials without salvage value will be placed in the on-site
landfill. Provided no other users are identified, all buildings will be removed
