Environmental Assessment
Volume E-1
Tailings Facility
Alternatives Considered
Ambatovy Project
6
January 2006
1.1
SELECTION OF PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
Three tailings facility locations were selected for further consideration including
cost estimates:
•
Brickaville location TA-6;
•
Toamasina locations TA-10 and 11; and
•
Toamasina ring dyke alternative.
As noted above the Toamasina area was selected as the preferred area for the
plant, thus the Brickaville location was not considered further. The high cost of
the ring dyke alternative and questionable integrity precluded its further
consideration. The TA-10 and 11 location was selected for further evaluation,
based mainly on capacity considerations.
Once a preferred site was selected, a more detailed analysis of design options was
completed for the facility in the chosen area.
1.2
DESIGN OPTIONS
The storage efficiency of the recommended site for tailings disposal was noted to
be good, minimizing embankment construction and ultimate tailings disposal
costs. Several factors were considered in selecting the best development option
including socioeconomic conditions in the valleys, geologic conditions, water
management criteria and the potential for future reclamation.
Minimizing the tailings footprint and locating the site to minimize effects on
people living in the area, were the main goals in developing the preferred tailings
option.
The four options considered for development of the TA-10 and 11 valleys are
shown in Figure 1-3.
