Canadian mining company Vortex Metals has begun comprehensive environmental and surface geological studies at its Zaachila copper project in southern Oaxaca, Mexico.
The studies follow a previous identification of copper mineralisation and will include an extensive programme of environmental baseline studies and corresponding surface geological work.
They have been designed to deepen the understanding of the project’s potential through an integrated approach to documenting its environmental state including the geologic environment.
The studies, which have already started, were made possible due to a previously announced community approval, after a general assembly meeting held with local people residing near the project.
Vortex Metals stated that it will conduct sustainable operations with a dedication to environmental stewardship and community engagement.
The team will include ten environmental specialists and with support from local community field assistants, will gather data in the coming days.
The study will focus on land uses defined by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics Geography (INEGI) and informatics that encompass 500 hectares of area.
Findings from this study will help in protecting the local environment, benefitting both the company and the community.
It will also form the basis for the environmental impact assessment (EIA), which will be submitted to the country’s Federal Environmental Office, The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT).
Vortex Metals CEO Vikas Ranjan said: “The launch of our comprehensive Environmental and surface geologic studies at the Zaachila project represents a pivotal moment for Vortex, as it brings us closer to exploring multiple high-grade copper targets previously identified in geochemical targeting analysis by VMS expert and Vortex Metals’ adviser, Jim Franklin.
“Vortex remains fully committed to environmental sustainability, and we are grateful for the local community’s support and collaboration throughout this process.”
The Zaachila project covers 3,264 hectares of concessions and has a 5km trend of copper-gold surface mineralisation identified from sampling.
