Pulacayo Project Feasibility Study - Apogee Silver

Pulacayo 1 000 t/d Phase I Feasibility Study - NI 43-101 Technical Report
090644-3-0000-20-IFI-100
validation are required. The “name-plate” capacity of the designed processing facility is
1,000 t/d.
25.1.6 Environmental and Permitting
The development of the Pulacayo Project poses certain significant challenges with respect to
environmental management, including passive contamination from previous activities. This
issue is covered in the environmental Baseline Study. The Environmental Impact Study (EIA)
was filed and submitted to government entities for review, categorization and approval in
January 2013. This study includes the outcome of a public consultation meeting held in
December 2012 with the representatives of communities within the area of influence of the
project. The result of this meeting was positive.
The environmental practices described in the current Environmental Impact Study will be
implemented in the project, whilst the permit extension process continues. The communities
will participate in these activities in order to create awareness. While this in progress,
Apogee would continue with further engineering and procurement activities.
Apogee has land tenure, surface rights agreements, permits for water supply and discharge
and exploration permits, required to carry out exploration activities including the
development of an exploration access drive.
25.1.7 Water Management
The main supply of water in the region is the Yanapollera reservoir. The Yanapollera
reservoir stores water from the snowmelt, run-off and ground water springs in the upstream
Cosuño nevado (snow-capped mountain peak) and distributes the water to local users. At
present, the reservoir has three users: A mining cooperative located in the Pulacayo town,
the Pulacayo population and the town of Uyuni. The actual water demand of these users
from Yanapollera is still somewhat uncertain, and their water demands are supplemented by
ground water and other sources.
The hydrologic model evaluated the likelihood of a water deficit over the Life of Mine. This
model included a sensitivity analyses on input parameters, to account for the lack of longterm
site data normally recommended for model validation. The results of this work indicate
that the Yanapollera reservoir alone should not be relied upon for process and potable water
related to mine operation, as this would leave a statistically significant chance of a water
deficit during the Life of Mine. This probability can be reduced or eliminated by constructing
a water storage reservoir, and/or by supplementing the water supply with ground water
sources. Investigation and design of the aforementioned items is currently underway.
The spring and summer months will see demand for water to suppress dust as well as to
wash plant and other mine equipment. The bulk of such water should come from clean water
run-off captured by drains located around the periphery of site.
25.1.8 Infrastructure
The 115 kV power line is one of the first activities to be developed, as the electrical
equipment involved are considered long-lead items. Power line procurement and
construction can take as much time as needed for the plant construction itself.
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