Environmental Assessment
Volume A-4
Introduction
Development and Timing
The project schedule from completion of the feasibility study through to plant
commissioning is outlined in the following table.
Table 4-1
Project Milestones
Activity
Start Date
Completion Date
feasibility study update
February 2005
April 2006
detailed engineering
March 2006
September 2008
procurement – fabrication and delivery
February 2006
June 2009
construction
March 2007
November 2009
pre-commissioning
July 2009
November 2009
4.1
UTILITIES & INFRASTRUCTURE
A careful study was conducted to evaluate the utility needs of this project from
the perspective of water and water treatment for domestic purposes and power.
4.1.1
Water
There will be a requirement for potable water at the mine site and at the
Toamasina pressure acid leach facilities, in addition to sewage wastewater
treatment at these locations. These needs will be met using packaged plants
which assure the production of drinking water to world health organization
standards and wastewater treatment that meet discharge criteria.
Due to the remoteness of operations from population centres, it is not anticipated
that potable water distribution or the availability of sewage water treatment
facilities, from Ambatovy operations will be practical or economic. However,
where deemed appropriate for social investment, the project will consider
providing assistance in developing community water wells and other potable
water improvement projects.
4.1.2
Power
Electric power is required at all project operating sites. Within the project
feasibility study, all power will be supplied by the project with no planned access
to national or regional grids.
With responsible engineering as a project policy, all power generation points will
have a modest excess capacity. The most significant of these will be at the
Ambatovy Project
10
January 2006
