Ambatovy mine

Ambatovy

Location
Atsinanana and Alaotra Mangoro regions
Country	Madagascar
Production
Products	Primary: Nickel and Cobalt, By-product: AMSUL fertilizer
Owner
Company	Joint Venture: Sherritt, Sumitomo Corp, Kores
Website	www.ambatovy.com

Ambatovy, located in Madagascar, off the east coast of Africa, is one of the world’s largest lateritic nickel mines with a production capacity of 60,000 tonnes ( 132,27 pounds) of nickel and 5,600 tonnes (11,023 pounds) of cobalt per year with mine life estimated at 29 years. It is a joint venture between the Canadian mining company Sherritt (40%), who also serves as Ambatovy’s operator, Sumitomo Corp. (32.5%), and Kores (27.5%). It currently employs approximately 9,000 people, 84% of whom are Malagasy. The Mine, located in the Alaotra Mangoro region, is set on two nickel deposits, the Analamay and Ambatovy deposits, with estimated reserves of 125 million tonnes of ore. The Plant site is located on the eastern coast of the island in Toamasina and is connected to the mine by a 220 km slurry pipeline.

Timeline

In November 2006, Ambatovy received its environmental permit. The construction period of the project ended in 2011 and first production of nickel was achieved in late 2012. In September 2012, the Malagasy Government authorized Ambatovy to operate. Commercial production was achieved in 2014. The mine is currently in its Operations Phase and has a life span estimated at 29 years.