The Soyo Ammonia and Urea Fertilizer Complex Project is located in Soyo City, Zaire Province, Angola. As Angola’s first large-scale fertilizer project, it holds significant importance for enhancing the country’s fertilizer self-sufficiency and safeguarding food security. The Group Company undertook the detailed geotechnical investigation for this project.
This investigation strictly adhered to American standards (ASTM) and Angola’s latest mandatory codes and regulations. Its core objective was to provide precise and reliable geological data and geotechnical parameters for the engineering design of the fertilizer plant, including foundation treatment, foundation type selection, and mitigation of adverse geological conditions. The project team overcame challenges and efficiently completed the following tasks:
1. Surveying of 182 geological points (including electrical resistivity and static cone penetration test (CPT) positioning).
2. 165 boreholes totaling 6,477 meters in depth.
3. 3 test pits (each 3 meters deep).
4. 3,731 Standard Penetration Tests (SPT).
Extensive in-situ testing was also conducted, including static cone penetration tests (CPT), shear wave velocity tests, seismic refraction surveys, and electrical resistivity tests. Hydrogeological work encompassed groundwater monitoring and permeability tests.
Laboratory testing analyzed thousands of samples, covering:
1. Soil physical and mechanical properties (e.g., moisture content, density, particle size analysis, Atterberg limits, consolidation, shear strength, CBR, angle of repose).
2. Corrosivity tests of soil and groundwater.
This provided comprehensive data support for the design.
The project commenced on March 21, 2025, and was successfully completed on schedule by May 29, 2025, meeting all timeline requirements. Throughout the investigation and construction process, the project achieved its goal of "zero safety production accidents, zero occupational/infectious disease incidents, and zero environmental pollution incidents." All investigation work was completed to a high standard in a complex environment, strictly in accordance with contractual requirements.
The project’s quality management, safety management, and schedule control were highly recognized and unanimously praised by the client, AMUFERT SA of Angola.
