Environmental Assessment
Volume A-4
Introduction
Development and Timing
it has lower capacity (design capacity 45,000 t/y Ni+Co) and a somewhat
different ore as feed, the unit operations in the process plants are quite similar.
The other two pressure acid leach nickel laterite operations are much smaller,
each at approximately 10,000 t/y Ni capacity. Both are in Western Australia and
one, Bulong, has ceased operations. The other, Cawse, continues in operation,
but produces only an intermediate product which is processed to pure metals
elsewhere. The proponents are aware of these operations, but have had no direct
input to them.
The Ambatovy Project proponents have extensive links, technical, engineering,
operations, or financing, to numerous other base and precious metals operations.
Examples of these follow.
4.2.1
Dynatec Corporation
For the commercial plants listed below, Dynatec has provided testwork, process
licenses, engineering, start-up and other services.
Nickel, Cobalt, and Copper
Ammonia Pressure Leaching
•
Sherritt, Canada (1993, 1954)
•
Western Mining Corporation Ltd., Australia (1969)
Hydrogen Reduction
•
Outokumpu Oy. Finland (1995, 1957)
•
Impala Platinum Ltd., South Africa (1983, 1969)
•
Marinduque Mining and Industrial Corporation, Philippines (1974)
•
Western Mining Corporation Ltd., Australia (1969)
Acid Pressure Leaching
•
Anaconda Nickel, Australia (1998)
•
Stillwater Mining Company, USA (1995)
•
Bindura Nickel Corporation, Zimbabwe (1995)
Ambatovy Project
12
January 2006
