Environmental Baseline
We began the development of the baseline early so that the information on biodiversity, water flows, monitoring points and weather conditions was taken into account to design the conceptual study and scope of the project. The conceptual study defines the location and characteristics of the pit, the tailings dam, the process areas, the access roads and the camp, as well as any facilities required to carry out the operation of the future mine. The pre-feasibility and feasibility studies will be developed based on the results of the conceptual study.
The first year of the development of the baseline focused on the regional scope, and the second year focuses on the issues specified as those of greater risk.
Water
Water is consumed mainly from natural sources of the Chalcobamba and Fuerabamba areas, which are not categorised as protected natural areas. One of the sources is the Fuerabamba River, which has a monthly flow of 152,150 m³. Another source is the Ccomerccacca brook which has a monthly flow of 10,368 m³.
We use water efficiently, define and audit our consumption reduction goals and take the water needs of nearby populations into account. We do not affect water sources or make discharges because we reuse 100 percent of the camp water and 90 percent of the water of the exploration operations.
We have not reported on discharges to natural water courses. We have used portable laboratory equipment to gather information more frequently and to respond to any emergencies quickly.
Air
To reduce gas emission, we perform regular maintenance on power generators and vehicles. To avoid noise nuisance in the area near the communities, we maintain a ban on horn honking. We also maintain our road irrigation program to reduce dust.
Energy
Because we are not yet in a production stage, we have not implemented energy saving programs from direct or indirect sources or completed analysis of the financial impact derived from the increase of the energy cost or from carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. We will take these aspects into consideration in the pre-feasibility and impact evaluation stages.