Environmental Assessment
Volume E-6
Tailings Facility
Reclamation and Closure
Ambatovy Project
227
January 2006
6
RECLAMATION AND CLOSURE PLAN
6.1
INTRODUCTION
Reclamation and closure of the tailings facility will be based on the following
general objectives:
•
Reclamation goals and objectives will be considered during design and
planning of construction and operations.
•
Progressive reclamation will be implemented where possible.
•
Upon cessation of operations, equipment will be decommissioned and
the area will be rehabilitated to allow for future land use as guided by
local authorities and stakeholders.
•
The reclamation and closure design will ensure that long-term physical
and chemical stability is provided.
This preliminary reclamation and closure plan is a living document that will be
updated throughout the project life to reflect changing conditions and the input of
local authorities and stakeholders.
6.2
FACILITY CLOSURE PLANS
The tailings facility will be operated in three phases, with each phase using an
operating tailings basin and a water basin. The water basin used during Phases 1
and 2 will become the future Phase 3 tailings basin, and a new Phase 3 water
basin will be constructed in Year 20. Phase 1 and Phase 2 tailings basins will be
closed out as part of progressive reclamation and only the Phase 3 tailings basin
and Phase 3 water basin will require reclamation at final closure. The approach to
closure of each facility will be the same, whether as part of progressive or final
reclamation.
The tailings beach within each tailings basin will be allowed to air dry for a
period of time, likely two years, and progressively revegetated to provide a stable
erosion-resistant surface which may be safely traversed by humans and animals.
A residual sedimentation pond will be left in place to collect sediment until the
vegetation becomes well established and will likely be left as a wetlands area.
Suitable drainage measures will be designed and implemented for maintaining
stability during extreme precipitation events.
