The progression of the requisite hydrogeological assessments and monitoring programmes forms a key part of de-risking the
Highlights
Independent hydrogeological study commissioned from CRS Ingenieria now concluded following a 5 month programme
Objective was to assess water conditions and drainage relating to the potential future development of the
Bore hole and piezometer programme involved a series of pumping tests and live monitoring utilising indicator dyes to assess sub-surface water flows and rates
Results are in line with the hydrogeological conditions assumed within the Company's existing planned development model for a potential underground lead, zinc and silver mine at Toral
Piezometers continue to monitor water levels in line with the Company's ongoing compliance with hydrogeological regulations within the region and
The independent study was commissioned from, and carried out by, CRS Ingenieria (www.crsingenieria.es), and has now been concluded following an extensive testing programme undertaken over a 5 month period encompassing a central bore hole and a series of water monitoring piezometers. Data recovery and logging utilised a series of indicator dyes released into the water system at various points with subsequent monitoring their presence across a network of piezometers across the deposit. Using the hydrogeological software module of
The study's findings allow
Key Findings
The pumping tests reinforced the current hydrogeological model for the
The hydraulic connections (established through dyes released at injection wells) between hole TOD-018 and the wells located along the carbonated outcrop (TOP-026, TOP-027, TOD-023 and P-16) and the
These connections establish the entire route of the underground flow, from the head areas to the discharge zone, thereby validating the structure and operation of the proposed conceptual underground mining development model as outlined by
Programme detail
The detection of fluorescein in the TOP-027 well enables
It took 22 days for the first fluorescein to reach the pumping well (TOP-026) and a further 6 days for it to reach peak concentration. Accordingly, the transit speed of the underground flow is approximately 30-36m/day. Such speed is relatively slow compared to other modelled karst systems and suggests extensive development of functional caverns and flows in free circulation. Consequently, the live well results correspond to the characteristic speeds associated with those of a typical low-medium karstification and corresponding flows within the saturated zone. This supports and reinforces the historical data obtained from previous tests and strengthens the Company's proposed hydrogeological model for Toral.
Commenting today,
'Our work relating to hydrogeology and the local environment is ongoing, but this study supports our decision to press ahead with the planned 2022 drilling campaign. This campaign will commence in the New Year and involve both resource drilling and a series of shallow geotechnical drilling. The geotechnical component will be designed to assess the suitability of ground conditions for plant site infrastructure as well as the suitability of local disused quarry sites, which in turn could form part of a reclamation strategy following consultation with local community groups, by way of filling in areas with inert waste material from crushing during future production activities and then landscaping the areas concerned.'
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