Category Exploration Program   Show all

• Summer Update: Applications for Advanced Exploration Authorization to be Submitted Soon and Project Optimization Continues

  Share Summer Update: Applications for Advanced Exploration Authorization to be Submitted Soon and Project Optimization Continues on Facebook Share Summer Update: Applications for Advanced Exploration Authorization to be Submitted Soon and Project Optimization Continues on Twitter Share Summer Update: Applications for Advanced Exploration Authorization to be Submitted Soon and Project Optimization Continues on Linkedin Email Summer Update: Applications for Advanced Exploration Authorization to be Submitted Soon and Project Optimization Continues link
  

  Learn more about the Wasamac Underground Mining Project: visit our virtual community relations office

  
  

  On July 7, 2022, Yamana Gold issued a press release with news about its mining operations and development projects, including the Wasamac Underground Mining Project.

  Advanced exploration: Applications for authorization to be filed soon

  
  

  Last December, we announced the start of detailed engineering work ahead of submitting authorizations for bulk sampling at the Wasamac deposit, as per the recommendation in the updated feasibility study. Since then, our team has been busy planning this important step in the development of our project. Preliminary plans were presented to the Task Force last May and at the June neighbourhood meeting, where consultations were held regarding measures to be put in place to mitigate the impacts of this work. Applications for the various permits required will be submitted to the authorities shortly, detailing the construction of two access ramps to the deposit from the north of the 117 allowing for the recovery of a bulk sample and further exploration from underground exploration platforms. This new advanced exploration phase will allow us to recover a larger sample than we would with surface drilling to validate our predictions, including grade, recovery, backfill strategy and processing performance. It will also further our geotechnical knowledge and fine-tune the modelling for mine planning.

  
  

  Project optimization continues to aim for a more efficient project

  Over the last few months we have focused on updating the project’s strategic plan. The highlights are as follows:

  • The acquisition of land adjacent to the site of the main surface infrastructure allows us to optimize its layout. The revised plan avoids environmentally sensitive areas and improves the layout of the processing plant and ore storage area, while continuing to minimize impacts on nearby residents.
  • Additional geotechnical drilling has improved the design of the underground mine. The mining sequence also been optimized, allowing for a scenario of increased production in the first two years, to 200,000 ounces in 2027 and 250,000 ounces in 2028.
  • The positive results of the exploration and infill drilling also allow us to formulate a new working hypothesis that suggests a potential increase of 7,000 tpd to 9,000 tpd in the third year of operation of the Wasamac mine. This would extend the gold production profile to 250,000 ounces per year until at least 2030, previously estimated at 169,000 ounces in the feasibility study. Further validation is under analysis to confirm this scenario, which would also require adjustments to the permit application process underway.

  Further optimization work will be done in the coming months to fine-tune the treatment plan, the optimized configuration of the tailings filter plant and paste backfill plant and to further increase the levels of electrification, automation, and renewable energy used in our project.

  Read the complete press release here.

• The Wasamac Underground Mining Project Enters a New, Advanced Exploration Phase

  Share The Wasamac Underground Mining Project Enters a New, Advanced Exploration Phase on Facebook Share The Wasamac Underground Mining Project Enters a New, Advanced Exploration Phase on Twitter Share The Wasamac Underground Mining Project Enters a New, Advanced Exploration Phase on Linkedin Email The Wasamac Underground Mining Project Enters a New, Advanced Exploration Phase link

  Yamana Gold last wednesday issued a press release to investors, providing updates on various work and projects underway as well as an important announcement on the Wasamac underground mining project. With the release, Yamana confirms its intention to proceed with the feasibility study’s recommendation to move forward with the implementation of an advanced exploration program. As such, all necessary permit processes will be initiated to obtain authorizations for the construction of two ramps to access the deposit from the north of Route 117 to allow for bulk sampling and to pursue other exploration opportunities from underground. According to the current schedule, the process of developing advanced exploration scenarios and authorization requests leads us to anticipate a positive decision from the government at the earliest the start of winter 2023.

  If approved, the new exploration phase would enable us to:

  • Validate the mining and production plan by ensuring the grade, recovery, and geotechnical aspects of the project
  • Seize opportunities to optimize process performance: preliminary results of optimization studies indicate the potential to improve average gold recovery by 3% and up to 5.5% in certain areas
  • Confirm the stability parameters of sites, backfill strategy and the operating sequence to secure a safe, stable working environment
  • Establish underground drilling platforms to conduct boundary and exploration drilling while minimizing surface activities.

  Preliminary analysis of the recommendation, conducted since the summer, led us to consider new hypotheses for the advanced exploration work. As such, we hired external consultants to recommend technically viable and safe scenarios to recover a bulk sample without stripping the galleries of the old Wasamac mine.

  The process of obtaining specific government permits (Energy and Natural Resources for sampling, Environment for construction of exploration infrastructures) would be done alongside the environmental impact assessment currently underway and with a timeline of 13 to 16 months. Our commitments to the neighbourhood would also be included in the requests for advanced exploration.

  Furthermore, the Task Force, which is composed primarily of area residents, is currently working on a voluntary acquisition program and will soon begin work on an infrastructure and property integrity protection program.

  To read the full press release: https://www.yamana.com/English/investors/news/news-details/2021/Yamana-Gold-Announces-the-Discovery-of-New-Mineralized-Zones-at-Wasamac-and-Provides-an-Update-on-Its-Growth-Projects/default.aspx

• Gradual intensification of exploration work

  Share Gradual intensification of exploration work on Facebook Share Gradual intensification of exploration work on Twitter Share Gradual intensification of exploration work on Linkedin Email Gradual intensification of exploration work link

  The exploration program that began in March is gradually intensifying. Indeed, our teams will install two additional drills in the coming weeks. This increase in activities is possible thanks to the authorization received from the Commission de protection du territoire agricole (CPTAQ) in August 2021. This authorization, valid for a maximum period of 24 months, allows the use of the lots of land owners (with whom agreements have been signed as part of the exploration program) for a purpose other than agricultural (Homeowners’ agreement guide).

  The authorization of the CPTAQ is also accompanied by conditions that must be respected. For example, exploration and reclamation work should be done under the supervision of an agronomist. Tailings should be collected and disposed of outdoors or in receiving basins. In addition, once the equipment has been moved, a complete inspection of the site must be carried out rehabilitated when necessary.

  Each of these drills will be equipped with equipment designed during the first exploration work to reduce their noise impact. We maintain our commitments to put in place best practices to minimize the impact of our activities on the environment and the neighborhood, to compensate in a fair and equitable manner the owners where work will be carried out and to propose a participatory approach in collaboration with the neighborhood for the surveillance and monitoring of activities.

  
  

  For more details:

  • Read our report resolution policy, listening mechanism, taking into account grievances and citizen feedback.
  • Watch the two videos to familiarize yourself with drilling activities and learn more about the mitigation measures put in place to reduce the impact of noise.
  • Consult the page dedicated to the exploration program for the location of the drilling work in progress.

• July 6, 2021 - Launch of a video capsule on drilling activities

  Share July 6, 2021 - Launch of a video capsule on drilling activities on Facebook Share July 6, 2021 - Launch of a video capsule on drilling activities on Twitter Share July 6, 2021 - Launch of a video capsule on drilling activities on Linkedin Email July 6, 2021 - Launch of a video capsule on drilling activities link
  

  We are pleased to share this explanatory capsule(External link) on the drilling activities taking place on the site of the Wasamac underground mining project. This video describes the interior and exterior environment of the drill as well as the various equipment used by our team to carry out exploration work. Watching it will allow you to better understand how a drill rig works and the steps taken to extract core tubes from the ground and conduct a geological analysis. Efficient, modern and silent, the measures in place to reduce the sound and visual impact on the neighborhood are described here. You can find the video below or in the Exploration Program section. We wanted to underline the collaboration of the RJLL and Technominex teams in carrying out this exploration work with us.

• May 20, 2021 – See Our Video Explaining Noise Mitigation Measures Implemented During Drilling Work

  Share May 20, 2021 – See Our Video Explaining Noise Mitigation Measures Implemented During Drilling Work on Facebook Share May 20, 2021 – See Our Video Explaining Noise Mitigation Measures Implemented During Drilling Work on Twitter Share May 20, 2021 – See Our Video Explaining Noise Mitigation Measures Implemented During Drilling Work on Linkedin Email May 20, 2021 – See Our Video Explaining Noise Mitigation Measures Implemented During Drilling Work link
  

  Our team is excited to demonstrate the mitigation measures we have put in place for the drilling work being done, and we’ve produced a video to illustrate them.

  As you watch, you’ll learn a few basics notions about acoustics, how to recognize the main noise sources, and which mitigation measure we’ve taken to accomplish our drilling work with ten times less noise.

  Watch the video below, or in the Exploration Program section of our platform, where we’ve also posted additional information about the drilling work. We want to mention the collaboration of Soft dB and RJLL, whose work made these innovations possible.

  We remind you that you can contact us with any concerns or feedback you might have about our drilling activities:

  By telephone: 1-833-510-0330

  By email: wasamac@yamana.com(External link)

  On the platform: www.wasamac.consultations.com

• April 23, 2021 – Restoration of our first exploration site

  Share April 23, 2021 – Restoration of our first exploration site on Facebook Share April 23, 2021 – Restoration of our first exploration site on Twitter Share April 23, 2021 – Restoration of our first exploration site on Linkedin Email April 23, 2021 – Restoration of our first exploration site link

  Drilling Equipments

  We started the exploration program at the end of March. So far, we have drilled two holes on a property located in the Wasamac rural road area. We have already begun to restore the property, as you can see in the attached photo. Our team is currently working in the Wasamac property area a little further south.

  Drilling platform prio to the restauration work	Drilling platform after the restauration work
  Access road prior the restauration work	Access road after the restauration work

  
  

  For more details on the first phase of the exploration program, or to give feedback about it, go to the section of the online platform that addresses this topic.

  We remind you that if you have any questions or comments about the Wasamac underground mining project, you may contact us as follows:

  By phone: 819-763-1085

  By email: wasamac@yamana.com(External link)

  Through our online platform: www.consultationswasamac.com

• April 9, 2021 - Notice: Helicopter geophysical surveys

  Share April 9, 2021 - Notice: Helicopter geophysical surveys on Facebook Share April 9, 2021 - Notice: Helicopter geophysical surveys on Twitter Share April 9, 2021 - Notice: Helicopter geophysical surveys on Linkedin Email April 9, 2021 - Notice: Helicopter geophysical surveys link
  

  As part of the exploration program to develop the Wasamac underground mining project, geophysical work will be done by helicopter in early April 2021 in the vicinity of the Wasamac mining property in Evain. A map of the area flyover area is available on the www.consultationswasamac.com platform.

  
  

  The survey work will be carried out by Novatem Airborne Geophysics. The average altitude will be 18 metres on unobstructed routes. Where dwellings are present, the helicopter will increase its altitude to 90 metres over the buildings and will fly at an average speed of 125 km/hr. The aircraft used by the company is equipped with the quietest technology. The work will take place over a period of approximately one week.

  
  

  We remind you that if you have any questions or comments about the Wasamac underground mining project, our contact details are as follows :

  
  

  Telephone: 819-763-1085

  Email: wasamac@yamana.com(External link)

  Our online platform: www.consultationswasamac.com

• February 15, 2021 - Ambient noise measurements have begun on the exploration site

  Share February 15, 2021 - Ambient noise measurements have begun on the exploration site on Facebook Share February 15, 2021 - Ambient noise measurements have begun on the exploration site on Twitter Share February 15, 2021 - Ambient noise measurements have begun on the exploration site on Linkedin Email February 15, 2021 - Ambient noise measurements have begun on the exploration site link
  

  The specialized acoustics company hired by Yamana Gold has completed the installation of sound level meters at various locations in the preferred areas where exploration activities will begin in March 2021. These state-of-the-art instruments are used to measure the current ambient noise level as well as that of exploration work is in progress.

  It was important for our team to take sound measurements before exploration so that we could compare the results with those obtained when work commences. We are aware that in the past, the work (particularly the noise) may have created inconveniences for the neighborhood. The data we collect will allow us to adjust our practices and measures to minimize the impact of drill noise in the vicinity. Acoustic screens will also be installed at various locations to mitigate possible sound pollution.

  We look forward to neighbourhood collaboration from the moment the work begins to ensure monitoring and follow-up of the exploration work. We invite area residents to give us feedback so that we can make changes in response to reports we receive.

  If you have any questions or comments on noise monitoring and mitigation measures, or any other matter relating to the Wasamac underground mining project, please contact us at:

  By phone: 819-763-1085

  By email: wasamac@yamana.com