Water monitoring

We monitor water quality in four of the communities located within the direct area of influence of the project and water. The water monitoring programme started when we initiated exploration activities, in November 2006. We are studying the principal rivers and watershed and their sources located within the La Granja area. These include the Ayraca, Paltic, La Lima, Checos and Honda rivers.

As part of the work we conduct with the environmental participatory groups, we sponsor community training workshops around water issues. Water education is ongoing at La Granja.

Water is a resource with social, environmental and economic value at both the local and the global levels.  We recycle whenever we can and discharge water according to international and local regulations.

We aim to:

• Understand the issues and perceptions surrounding water that are important to the local communities.
• Determine the Baseline condition of water, including for:
  - Surface water (rivers and watersheds)
  - Ground water

How do we test water quality?

A comprehensive surface water monitoring network was designed (currently involving more than 40 points not only inside La Granja area, but in surrounding communities) based on the drainage pattern, locations of potential areas of mining project development and water usage by local communities.  The water quality sampling program includes the periodically and simultaneous collection of field parameters, flow measurements and hydrochemical samples. 

The field parameters include pH, Eh, EC, temperature, turbidity, alkalinity and water flow and are measured with latest generation instruments.  Measurement of pH, EC and temperature are taken with a multiprobe instrument, turbidity with a turbidity meter sensor and flow with an electromagnetic flowmeter.  Alkalinity is measured using the titration method.

The water samples for hydrochemical analysis include three different types of samples that are analyzed for:

• Dissolved metals concentrations
• Total metals concentrations 
• Anionic concentrations

The water samples are collected, stored and handled according to industry standard protocols and sent to registered laboratories for analysis.  Analytical determination of both dissolved and total metals is accomplished by ICP-MS/ICP-OES analysis, while anionic concentrations are determined via ion chromatography. 

Additional chemical analyses performed include the determination of:

• Total, WAD, and free CN analysis
• Nitrogen as ammonia
• Total Dissolved (TDS) and Total Suspended (TSS) solids
• Oils and Greases
• Phenol

A comprehensive series of QA/QC procedures are performed in each monitoring campaign consisting of analyses of sample duplicates, blanks and replicates.

Field measured parameters and hydrochemical analysis results for each point of the monitoring network are compared against regulatory guideline values designated by DIGESA (Dirección General de Salud Ambiental, Peru), and the USEPA and WHO drinking water regulatory guidelines when applicable

What do water tests measure?

• Physical-chemical quality of water.
• Presence and volume of ground water.
• Who is using water within the project area and for what purpose.