X-ray diffraction measurement was performed on an Mg50Ni 50 amorphous alloy prepared by mechanical alloying under an Ar atmosphere. Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) simulation based on the X-ray diffraction data was used to construct a three-dimensional atomic arrangement of the amorphous alloy. In addition, the local environments around the Mg and Ni atoms were investigated by using Voronoi polyhedral analysis on the RMC configuration. The results show that isosahedral structures are predominant around the Mg and Ni atoms in Mg50Ni50, although prismatic local structures are present around some of the Ni atoms. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.