Volcan Gold Mine Project EIA

Andina Minerals is developing a volcanic gold deposit near the Copiapo Volcano in the high altitude region of the Atacama desert in Chile.  BGC has been retained to provide strategic environmental advice and technical supervision for the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment).

BGC’s task was to ensure that the EIA met the corporate and regulatory standards for environmental permitting within the timeframe set out for the regulatory approval of the project.  BGC assisted the client in the selection of an environmental consultant to generate the environmental baseline and create the EIA and provided the technical direction.  The process began with providing a framework for the environmental permitting in a scoping document that was incorporated into the project pre-feasibility study as the socio-environmental chapter.  The documents produced by the EIA consultant and other supporting consultants in geotechnical, hydrological, meteorological and other environmental disciplines were reviewed by BGC following a proprietary review procedure.  This enabled the client to track the level of preparation of the EIA and the level of risk associated with its presentation to the regulatory authorities as the EIA progressed.  In addition to the EIA, BGC advised the client on critical issues associated with risks to a nearby national park and wetland site, and advised on an approach to water extraction at this arid mine site.

BGC also supported the client in the submission of the EIA in July 2012 for its official evaluation.