Preparing For Mine Construction In Nicaragua
Condor Gold (AIM:CNR) (TSX:COG) has completed a ground investigation programme of 23 geotechnical drill holes and 58 test pits on the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), Water Retention/Attenuation Reservoir and Processing Plant site at La India Project, Nicaragua.
Chairman and CEO, Mark Child, said the company is accelerating La India Project from a Pre-Feasibility level of design to Final Engineering Designs on key infrastructure in preparation for construction on the fully-permitted La India gold mine project.
Highlights
- 16 Geotechnical drill holes and 29 test pits for the final design for the tailing storage facility (TSF) have been completed.
- Final TSF design will be fully compliant with internal and external legislation.
- Seven Geotechnical drill holes and 17 test pits on La Simona dam and water retention/attenuation reservoir have been completed – data to be used to design a retention/attenuation dam and diversion water facility.
- 14 piezometers have been installed to monitor sub-surface water levels.
- 12 test pits at the processing plant site have been completed – providing the ground condition information required for an advanced layout design.
“The completion of ground investigations via a geotechnical drilling programme of 23 drill holes and 58 test pits on the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), water retention/attenuation reservoir and processing plant site demonstrates Condor’s commitment to de-risk and advance La India Project to construction,” Mr Child said.
“Condor has previously completed a Pre-Feasibility level design on the TSF and water retention reservoir. The decision has been taken to accelerate the Project; a Feasibility Level design on the TSF and water retention/attenuation reservoir is 64% completed and is due to be finalised in June 2021. Condor’s objective is to fast track the La India Project to operational status.”
Tierra Group International Ltd has been engaged to develop the Final Designs for the TSF and water retention/attenuation reservoir for a new mine at La India Project. The Final TSF design will be fully compliant with internal and external legislation. Tierra Group has completed an initial ground investigation of the processing plant site that will be used to constrain and optimise the final layout design. Condor owns 100% of the land required for the TSF, La Simona dam and water retention reservoir, and the processing plant location.
The geotechnical drilling and some of the test pits characterize subsurface geology and foundation conditions below the proposed TSF and water retention/attenuation dams’ footprints. The remaining test pits were designed to investigate the surficial geology along the TSF’s proposed diversion channel alignments, the water retention properties of the soil and subsurface geology within the TSF and water retention reservoir, and the foundation conditions within the processing plant site.
Tierra Group has performed in-situ permeability testing in the drill holes and has measured the geomechanical properties of the soil and rock from the drill holes and test pits both on-site and through laboratory testwork.
The 23 geotechnical drill holes totalled 599m. Piezometers were installed in 14 of the drill holes; 11 at the TSF and 3 at the water retention dam, to monitor sub-surface water levels.
Condor’s objective, subject to funding, is to fast track the La India Project to operational status. With this in mind, the geotechnical engineering analysis results and recommendations will support a TSF and water retention/attenuation dam Final Design and contribute towards an advanced processing plant layout design.
Tierra Group is completing the necessary civil engineering activities and is responsible for producing the final engineering design drawings for the TSF and water retention/attenuation dam. A Feasibility Level design on the TSF and water retention/attenuation reservoir is 64% completed and is due to be finalised in June 2021.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) requested Final Designs as a condition of granting the key environmental permit to develop, construct and operate a new mine at La India.
