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Thanks viable. Jurassic-Cretaceous age granite intrusions (including more intermediate compositions such as granodiorite) outcrop quite widely through the length of the central zone of Ecuador as shown (in red and labelled g or gp) on this geological map of Ecuador: https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/images/Eudasm/latinamerica/images/maps/download/ec12005_ge.jpg:
It is likely that parts of some of these intrusions do outcrop in SOLG tenements, but I'll have to check more thoroughly to be sure which and to what extent. There are particularly noticeable concentrations of such intrusions in Zamora-Chincipe, compared with areas further to the north
Coldcut - thanks for taking the time to 'shine a light' on my conundrum!
Z
@ 18:20 - That's my language. Glad we have a geologist on board. Have always been uneasy over lack of contour information, watersheds and runoff.
Have cancelled a long narrative on the subject but have one question: Do you know if there are extensive granite formations in any of the licences?
Zoros, re. your post at 12:04, 25-1-2020.
Some good questions to which I will try to reply as best as I can as a geologist – like a fish to the bait!
MINE DESIGN. Jason Ward noted in a recent interview that he was happy to pass the Alpala project on to the mining engineers/engineers to develop onward, it now having progressed into their realm of expertise, rather than that of geologists. Your quite reasonable query is best answered by others with that expertise, so with that strong caveat in mind, a few observations and thoughts:
• The SOLG RNS’s contain location maps which show the drainage patterns of streams and rivers in the vicinity of all of their key geochemical targets (Cacharposa, Vino (like the sound of that!), Bartolo, and Targets 13, 14 and 16)
• The radial pattern around many of these suggest that they are located on or near ridges and hill peaks, apart from Vino and Targets 13 and 14 which appear to be located on hill slopes (lack of contours and place names on maps make it difficult to identify the specific locations on Google Earth to be able to more closely observe the topography and thus make more specific observations)
• An open pit is the most logical initial development configuration to consider conceptually for a near surface, commercial discovery on a hill top, which, depending on ore body orientation relative to topography, could minimise the strip ratio. Subsequent development, presumably by block caving accessed by decline from a lower elevation valley location is a logical configuration to consider for subsequent underground development.
DRILLING. It is logical to step outward incrementally from the known to the unknown, as SOLG are doing, rather than step too out far in large increments. So far, their drill plan indicates current exploration via a sequence of separate DDHs, in order to maximise intersection lengths to gather valuable geological information. It remains to be seen if, as they explore greater depths, they will avoid drilling through already explored ground by employing mother-daughter hole fan drilling patterns, by use of any type of directional drilling, such as motorised drill heads or even by old fashioned, tried and tested down hole wedging.
PROTECTED FORESTS. I noted in a previous post (26-10-2019) that the two most eastern concessions in the combined Porvenir-Nangaritza block lie entirely within a designated forest area, which adjoin Porvenir 1 immediately to the east (labelled “Nanga” in RNS figures). Part of the Target 16 anomaly straddles across the boundary into “Nanga” but unless the boundaries of that forest have been modified over the last year, then all the Porvenir targets appear to lie outside that protected area.
zor - just posted..thanks fella
Afternoon Schlem - I am led to believe / get the impression that one doesn't use the term 'discovery' lightly! In the mining fraternity it's the equivalent of 'coming out' :)
Z
I actually think open pit mines actually look pretty cool. I can see it being donated to the national park once it’s got a nice lake in the middle and being in the rainforest it wouldn’t take long for things to start growing again. I can imagine a nice viewing platform at the top and being one of the best ways to see such a large area of the rainforest all at once. Would be a good way to get out of paying maintenance as well. :)
I'm a clueless idiot on this stuff but why is Mather labelling Porvenir as a 'discovery' of such vital importance? Is it because the term 'discovery' signifies a COMMERCIAL discovery? Is that the inference or should I say does the term 'discovery' actually mean 'commercial discovery'?
PDH-002-20
NM has stated that this 75 degree incline was NOT designed to intercept or detect the 'core'. We all need to understand and accept this when the results update is out soon. Consequently it could be a dampner for some onlookers.
The 6 rigs re-positioning @ Porvenir will be placed strategically, based on PDH-002. I think (and geologists please correct me here) NM is delineating the outer boundarys of the "motherlode" so that the new rigs are best placed.
When the assay results are publicised, I think PDH-001-20 will forever be recognised as putting Solg well and truly on the mining map (globally).
IF there are any geologists out there (and I hope we don't have any environmentalists amongst us!), could you enlighten me as to what type of mining techniques may be used @ Porvenir considering that the tenement astraddles a National Park (even though we have all the approvals to explore)?
Is it as simple as Block Cave or Open Pit?
Ecuador will NEVER allow this to happen on their turf, no matter how much they receive in taxes:
https://www.kitco.com/commentaries/2020-07-06/The-world-s-top-10-biggest-gold-mines-in-2019.html
Anyone shine a light on the technique used please?
Z