Completed geomechanical and hydrogeological support of drilling operations
In December 2023, CMT successfully completed geomechanical and hydrogeological support for drilling operations with core orientation at the Gross Cluster (Gross deposit), which is being developed by the gold mining company Nordgold. The support was carried out as part of the implementation of additional research, in order to increase the knowledge of the geomechanical features of the massif, hydrogeological and permafrost conditions.
During the project, SMT specialists documented 2,360 m of oriented core, and samples were taken to determine the physical and mechanical properties of rocks.
As part of the hydrogeological studies, interval tests were carried out using the IPISWIPS packer unit (Australia) as the wells deepened. Thermal streamers were installed in the wells to clarify the boundaries of permafrost, as well as piezometric sensors to organize observations of the regime of the sub-permafrost aquifer, taking into account the influence of mining operations.
The deposit massif is composed predominantly of sandstones of varying degrees of oxidation. To a lesser extent, granites and syenite dikes occur. Rocks are complicated by microdefects of varying intensity. The strength of rocks directly depends on the intensity of microdefects.
In terms of geomechanics, the result of the work is an assessment of the quality of the massif, based on a set of indicators and ratings collected during the period of field work. Selected rock samples undergo laboratory tests, during which their physical and mechanical properties will be established. Analysis of correlation dependencies showed good convergence, which confirms the high quality of the work performed.
In terms of hydrogeology, the result of field work is information about the boundaries of permafrost distribution, filtration properties and the regime of the sub-permafrost aquifer, which will allow updating the hydrogeological model of the field and clarifying the forecast calculation of groundwater inflow into the project quarry.
