Environmental Assessment
Volume E-2
Tailings Facility
Project Description
Ambatovy Project
12
January 2006
2.4
LAND ACQUISITION
Long term lease applications have been submitted as follows:
AFF – 20897 TAM
03/11/04
874 ha
AFF – 20980 TAM
15/12/04
235 ha
AFF – 20981 TAM
15/12/04
8 ha
AFF
19/07/05
683 ha
Total:
1,800 ha
Detailed on-site surveys have been carried out to identify plot owners and plot
areas, and inventory the constructions and crops on each plot. A total of 154
plots are located in the area, of which 12 are provisionally titled, 1 has a
definitive title, 26 have pending title applications and 78 are plots on state land.
All aspects addressing potentially affected persons including the area and people
identified in the neighbouring areas to relocate the affected population are
addressed in the Resettlement Action Plan.
2.5
EARTHWORKS DESIGN
2.5.1
Construction Materials
Construction of tailings embankments, access roads, upgrade of the spine road
between TA-10 and TA-11, and the return water dams will require the borrowing
of material sourced predominantly from the local area. Material will be
borrowed from within the tailings basin footprints as much as possible to
minimize disturbance outside the tailings facility limits.
Sand for filter drains will be sourced either from the alluvial plain near the plant
or the sand-winning operation just outside of Toamasina on the road north.
Coarser granular materials for filters, road topping and rip-rap for erosion
protection will be quarried from dolerite dykes that are found in the area.
2.5.2
Embankment Cross Section
The proposed embankment cross section for both the tailings and water basins
comprised of a homogeneous structure consisting of local weathered gneiss
(clayey silt fill) and a sand chimney filter and blankets as required for internal
drainage and stability. Upstream slope erosion protection will be provided by
