Ambatovy Project

The Ambatovy Project is one of the largest nickel and cobalt mining enterprises, based in Madagascar. The Tailings Management Facility (TMF) project involved two phases. Knight Piésold was involved in the design and execution of Phase 2 TMF. Phase I was designed and built as part of the original capital project for Ambatovy. It was commissioned during 2012. We were appointed to carry out the surveillance audits of the operation of the Phase 1 TMF as well as the construction supervision of the Phase 2 TMF. Construction supervision was completed, and deposition commenced in December 2014. At present, we are involved in surveillance audits of both facilities and are busy with the design of the TMF Phase 3 Stage 1 wall raise.

Knight Piésold’s Role

Knight Piésold was responsible for a range of engineering services which included:

• Capacity modelling and in-situ density, water management/balances, pond size
• Piezometer data interpretation, slope stability analysis
• Seepage analysis and reverse filter design
• Review of settlement pond water quality
• Tailings deposition modifications
• Slurry pumping issues and pipeline corrosion
• Design of separator dam breach
• Geotechnical site investigation, starter wall detail design, seepage analysis, settlement analysis
• Design of drainage systems
• Design of settlement ponds
• Design of access roads
• Design of tailings delivery pipeline and distribution system
• BOQ and cost estimate
• Tender documentation
• Value engineering
• Construction supervision
• Water balances for Phase 1 and 2