GLOBAL NEWS •
MEXICO : PHASE 1 AT PILAR SUCCESSFUL
Tocvan Ventures announced the completion of its maiden drill programme at the Pilar Gold-Silver Project in Sonora , Mexico . A total of 1 505m of Reverse Circulation ( RC ) drilling was completed in nine drill holes towards the end of last year .
The Phase I programme was designed to provide important structural information for defining drill targets along the main mineralised trend and across the deep-seated feederpipe like structures interpreted from geophysics . As the corporation looks to continue the advancement of the Pilar Project , a Phase II drill programme to test these targets is planned for early 2021 .
“ The ability to efficiently execute our first drill programme at Pilar is an important milestone for Tocvan ,” says president and CEO Derek Wood . “ As we await drill results , planning has begun for the next phase of exploration .”
INTERNATIONAL : GLENCORE EXPANDS TAILINGS MONITORING
Multinational mining company Glencore has entered a partnership with Tre-Altamira to expand its satellite monitoring across its Tailing Storage Facilities ( TSF ).
Glencore has entered a global agreement with Tre-Altamira to expand satellite monitoring to over 110 of its dams worldwide making this the largest industry monitoring agreement to-date specifically focusing on tailings storage monitoring .
The monitoring provides measurements of surface movements every 11 days which is the current maximum available frequency for this type of data collection . By taking measurements from both ascending and descending satellite orbit directions , Glencore will be able to resolve any measured movement on its TSFs into both horizontal and vertical components . The typical resolution on the ground is 3m x 3m with detectable movement resolution in the order of a few millimetres .
Measurement data will be provided via a cloud-based platform which will ensure continuous provision of information . Results of the monitoring will also be used to support stakeholder engagement and demonstrate the ongoing safe performance of the company ’ s dams .
While the main focus of the satellite monitoring programme will be its Tailings Dams , the data will also be used at some sites to supplement other terrestrial monitoring techniques which will include open pits , waste piles and areas prone to subsidence . •
African
Mining • February 2021 • 9