04 Requirements for Evaluating Hydrogeological and Original Gold Mineral Resources

In Clause 1, Article 18 of Circular 03/2015/BTNMT, the regulations for hydrogeological assessment must meet the following requirements:

Requirements for hydrogeological assessment of primary gold mineral resources (Illustrative image)

- Collect meteorological and hydrological data of the exploration area for at least the last 5 years;

- The exploration results must evaluate the main aquifers that may flood the mine, especially in the most flood-prone parts of the mine, to address drainage and dewatering issues;

- For the aquifers, the thickness, lithological composition, and water supplying conditions must be identified; the relationships between the aquifers themselves and between surface water, groundwater level, and other related parameters must be ascertained;

- Research must be conducted on the chemical and microbiological composition of the water, assessing its corrosive potential on concrete and metals, the content of beneficial and harmful components in the water, evaluating the impact of mine dewatering on groundwater-using projects in the region, as well as the potential for using the water for living purposes. Recommendations on related water supply and drainage solutions and the impact of mine dewatering on the surrounding environment should also be made.

Additionally, the engineering geological assessment must meet the following requirements:

- The exploration results must clarify the physical and mechanical properties of the ore, surrounding rocks, and overburden in natural and water-saturated conditions; the engineering geological characteristics of the rock and soil layers and their heterogeneity, rock and soil composition, fissuring, tectonic disruptions, karst, destruction phenomena in the weathering zone;

- The exploration results must evaluate the stability of the mining works and calculate the basic parameters of the mining pit, and the stability of the mine shaft;

- All hydrogeological, engineering geological conditions, and other natural factors need to be evaluated to serve the investment project planning and mine design. In case of complex hydrogeological and engineering geological conditions, a specialized investigative evaluation proposal is required. Hydrogeological and engineering geological evaluation work must comply with current regulations.

For more details, refer to: Circular 03/2015/BTNMT effective from April 1, 2015.

Thu Ba

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