Update On Baseline And Permitting Programs At West Cache Gold Project
TORONTO - R. David Russell, CEO and President of Galleon Gold Corp, reported, "It has been an extremely active twelve months at West Cache Gold Project, Timmins, Ontario, in addition to drilling over 45,000 meters, there have been numerous specialists involved in designing and carrying out baseline and permitting initiatives. Commencing these activities early ensures that the permitting process is well underway as we move the Project into the advanced exploration stage with a planned underground portal and ramp for the collection of a bulk sample. Galleon Gold is committed to transparency and working with all stakeholders to ensure that development of the Project proceeds in a timely and responsible manner."
The Company has commenced drafting the initial Project Definition Scope document that will be utilized to communicate the proposed Project activities to the regulators responsible for permitting mine development activities. This document will eventually evolve to form part of the advanced exploration closure plan required for the collection of a bulk sample and eventual full scale mining operation.
Groundwater monitoring wells were installed this past winter. Groundwater quality samples are being collected quarterly (spring, summer, fall and winter) to establish a comprehensive groundwater quality database. In addition, level transducers have been installed in the monitoring wells to determine the range in static water levels. These wells will also be used to monitor groundwater elevations during the hydrogeological studies which are planned for later this year. The hydrogeological studies will provide data to support the Permit to Take Water.
Representative core samples from a select number of 2020-2021 drillholes have been delivered to SGS Laboratories. Testing will focus on determining the acid rock drainage and metal leaching potential of waste rock and ore materials. This early characterization of the waste and ore materials will help with future mine planning and design of waste rock management plans, contact water management requirements, and economic assessments.
Water quality samples are being collected to capture natural environmental and seasonal variability information. Sampling this past fall and winter has been completed and the spring sampling program is currently underway. In addition, two hydrometric stations on two streams on the property have been established to measure baseline streamflows. This data will be used to support the preparation of the Assimilative Capacity Study which in turn will support the Industrial Sewage Works ECA.
Desktop and field studies are being conducted to identify habitat for species at risk or significant wetland considerations. Terrestrial field investigations will predominately occur in the spring during the breeding bird season (approximately between May 24 to July 10) with follow-up in the summer and fall. Aquatic baseline studies have taken place this spring and will be followed up with summer and fall visits.
A Stage 1 Archeological Assessment for the Project to determine if there is potential for archeological sites within the Project has been completed and submitted to the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries for their consideration and review.