Environmental Assessment
Volume E-2
Tailings Facility
Project Description
Ambatovy Project
11
January 2006
across the TA-11 valley and a service road around the north and south perimeter
for the placing of the tailings distribution piping to the western end. The
embankment would ultimately be built to an elevation of 80 m with the
maximum supernatant pond level below an elevation of 76 m. The northern and
southern perimeter service roads will be built to approximately an elevation of 75
to 85 masl.
The initial return water pond will be sited to the south east of this area, within the
upstream portion of the TA-10 valley. The initial return water pond will store a
total volume of approximately 7 Mm
3
and the embankments for this dam will be
built to an elevation of 40 masl.
Phase 2
Phase 2 will involve the development of a tailings basin within the valley
immediately south of TA-10 (south valley). Embankments will be constructed
across the east end of the south valley and along the ridge to the south. The
initial return water pond within the west portion of TA-10 would continue to be
used during Phase 2. In addition to the embankments, a new service road will
need to be constructed along the south and west sides of the south valley for
tailings distribution piping. The Phase 2 tailings basin will be developed to an
elevation of approximately 65 m to accommodate tailings for six years (years 15
to 21).
Phase 3
Phase 3 will involve construction of a new water basin east of the Phase 1 and 2
water basin within TA-10 so that tailings can be placed within the west portion of
TA-10. Tailings will be discharged predominately from the west and north to
ensure all runoff and supernatant reports to the final return water pond to the
southeast. The Phase 3 tailings basin will be developed to an elevation of
approximately 60 m to accommodate the final six years of operations from
(years 21 to 27).
Final Reclamation
The final reclaimed facility will be vegetated and have several small
sedimentation ponds.
