Environmental Assessment
Volume B-6
Mine
Reclamation and Closure Plan
Ambatovy Project
399
January 2006
from site. Any concrete structures will be demolished to 0.5 m below surface
grade and will be covered with overburden before revegetation.
6.4
HYDROLOGY
Runoff collection ponds located downstream from the stockpiles will remain in
place throughout the operations phase and into closure until sediment monitoring
indicates that revegetation measures are providing adequate protection to
minimize erosion and sedimentation. Ponds will be reclaimed by draining, and
the embankments will be breached to restore natural drainage. Disturbed areas
(such as the breached embankments) will be revegetated.
Once revegetation is well established across the site, mine runoff collection
facilities will be decommissioned by breaching to re-establish natural drainage.
6.5
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Unused chemicals will be removed from the site to be either sold/reused
elsewhere or will be disposed of with other hazardous wastes as per the
operations phase of the project.
An on-site landfill will be used over the life of the mine for the disposal of non-
hazardous waste. At closure, any exposed portions of the landfill will be capped.
Any areas of known or suspected soil contamination, such as fuel storage and
transfer areas, will be assessed for contamination. Petroleum hydrocarbon
contamination will be remediated on-site.
6.6
WATER PIPELINE AND CORRIDOR CLOSURE
The 23 km buried pipeline used to transfer water from the Mangoro River to the
ore processing plant will be left in place as its removal would cause unnecessary
disturbance. Any surface expressions of the pipeline (i.e., valves) as well as the
pumping station and associated diesel generator will be removed.
Pipelines and pumping systems drawing water from the mine runoff collection
ponds for use in process at the ore preparation plant will predominantly be above
grade. Above-grade portions of pipelines, as well as pumping systems, will be
removed at closure, and salvaged for use by others within the region.
