Questions and answers
- A dissipative silencer installed on the engine intake;
- And the same at the engine exhaust.
- Conduct preventive work for residential wells that might be seriously impacted;
- Monitor groundwater conditions at the Wasamac site;
- Proceed with analyses in the event that the alert threshold of one or several monitoring wells is reached;
- React promptly to unforeseen impacts felt by residents;
- Have contingency measures ready to implement when needed.
What noise-reduction measures are planned during exploration work?
Measures for each drill that will be used:
Sound-absorbing coverings will also be installed directly on all mine walls.
Lastly, for activities closer to residences, a removable screen will be set up near the drill pipe.
Are measures being taken to protect the water supply?
The risk of drilling work affecting residential wells is low, thanks to distance and low vibration levels, but we will continue to be vigilant.
In anticipation of future work with the potential to impact wells (e.g., dewatering), or in the event of a water supply issue, Yamana Gold will act promptly and work with residents to find solutions and implement measures arising from the Richmont Mine Engagement Plan (https://consultationswasamac.com/19309/widgets/76819/documents/51037), including but not limited to:
An update to Richmont Mines' water supply commitments will be proposed to the Task Force. Richmond Mines owned the project until 2017.
What happens if there is damage to the property where the drilling is taking place?
If damage is found, the company will be responsible for repairing it.
What greases will be used in the drilling process, and do they pose a risk of contamination to the soil and groundwater?
Because the drill holes are not deep, we will not be using any grease. If we did, however, our service provider adheres to the Ecologo standard, which means that any lubricant used would indeed be biodegradable.
How deep will the drill holes be?
The drill hole depth will vary between 250 and 800 metres.
Would it be possible to use electric drills to reduce noise? If not, why not?
We asked the companies responsible for drilling and monitoring the work, Technominex and RJLL. They say that the use of electric drills for this type of project is not yet common practice in the industry. Efforts are being made in that direction, however. For our project, sound mitigation measures have also been put in place to reduce the noise impact of the drilling work.
Will drilling sludge be recovered to reduce environmental impacts?
Yes, it will be collected in the green zone and disposed of in an authorized area. It will undergo the stabilization process at least 60 metres from hydric environments and wetlands to contain the solids and avoid the leaching of particles into those environments. Also, in accordance with the agreements made with landowners, the properties will be returned to their original state.
How was compensation established for homeowners on whose land drilling work has been or will be done?
We developed the compensation structure based on current industry comparatives. Also, the owners with whom we struck agreements were first consulted by our team, who gave them time to consider our offer before making their decision.
What plans are there to follow up on the damage done by the drilling on the properties?
When the work is completed, a Yamana project superintendent will conduct an inspection. Yamana has also committed to returning the properties to their original state after the drilling work.
How often will workers cross private property during drilling operations?
We have made arrangements with owners to ensure that the workers can cross in a manner that is convenient for the homeowners. In the event that traffic becomes a concern for nearby neighbors, they will be contacted as well. We will also require that our crew and suppliers use access roads that are as far away from residences as possible.
Would it be possible, especially during the summer, to have set working hours and avoid exploration activities on weekends?
We are open to doing so. Our approach is to adjust our operations between now and the summer and make sure that our coexistence measures with the neighborhood are adequate at all times. If there are issues, we will adjust.
Are there any potential risks to water veins due to infiltration or contamination by cement from the drill holes?
The RJLL cementing procedure consists of lowering the drill pipe to the bottom of the hole and pumping cement into the pipe. As the cement fills the bottom of the hole, the tube is raised to ensure that the hole is completely cemented. This process does not involve a pressure increase and the impact area is a one-metre diameter around the borehole. There will be no impact on neighbouring wells.
It should be noted that the constituents of borehole cement have no known significant toxicological or health effects. Moreover, it is a fast-setting cement. Therefore, the type of cement used, along with the pressure-free injection procedure, reduces the risk of spillage away from the hole diameter and does not result in any environmental contamination risk.