BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10
By Fidan Babayeva - Trend:
The preparation of a document on the assessment of environmental and social impact (EIA) from the exploitation of sulfide ores at the Chovdar gold field in Azerbaijan’s Dashkasan district has been completed, Trend reports referring to AzerGold CJSC.
According to the CJSC, the document was prepared within the feasibility study for the exploitation, carried out by globally recognized MICON International consulting company.
Within the EIA, public hearings were held by Azerbaijan's IQLIM LTD, research, consulting and engineering company specializing in environmental changes, under the supervision of international experts. The hearings were attended by individuals, representatives of civil society institutions and scientific organizations.
At the event, organized in accordance with the legislation on public participation, information was provided on the detailed environmental monitoring and research carried out in the territories planned for exploitation and adjacent areas.
The document reflected such issues as the management of all types of waste in accordance with the requirements of the legislation, isolation of the rock storage from the environment, prevention of the formation of acidic waters, redirection of industrial water for reuse in order to efficiently use water resources and other specific measures.
The meeting participants noted that this document was developed in accordance with the existing requirements of the mining industry. Besides, the experts made a number of proposals on environmental monitoring and environmental management measures. The proposals made during the discussion were noted for consideration and inclusion in the document.
The total volume of gold economically profitable for extraction at the time of the start of Chovdar field’s exploitation by AzerGold was 179,000 ounces. As a result of geological studies and optimization work carried out in recent years, the volume of gold profitable for extraction from the ores of the deposit has been brought up to 527,000 ounces.
Up to date, 254,000 ounces of gold have been extracted from the deposit and sold on the international market.
The start of the development of sulfide ores of the deposit using the carbon leaching method within the second phase of the project is planned for 2022. The development of the second phase of the project will attract several million manat to the country's economy.
The implementation of the project will contribute to the further development of the non-oil sector, the creation of new jobs, and also the socio-economic development of the region.
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