Environmental Assessment
Volume D-3.5
Process Plant
Natural Risks
3.5.4
Issue Scoping
Five principal natural hazards are identified in the risk assessment (Dynatec
2005) as seismic, hydrological, wind, geotechnical and tsunami. Issues
associated with each of these natural hazards are summarized as follows. All the
issues identified from stakeholder consultation were included in these hazard
scenarios.
Seismic Hazards
An earthquake could:
•
cause a power failure and plant shutdown;
•
damage plant structures; and
•
rupture containment facilities such as process tanks.
Hydrological Hazards
Heavy rains from a tropical cyclone could trigger:
•
flooding from storm rains which cause overloading of the bermed
containment areas; and
•
flooding due to a storm surge from the sea.
Wind Hazards
High speed winds from a tropical cyclone could:
•
cause a power failure and plant shutdown;
•
damage plant structures;
•
rupture process tanks;
•
blow stockpiled materials offsite; and
•
damage temporary structures and scatter debris.
Geotechnical Hazard
Unforeseen geotechnical conditions could occur due to a seismic or hydrological
event causing plant damage.
Ambatovy Project
61
January 2006
