In the area known as Escádia Grande, where EDM holds prospecting and exploration rights, on 11 July, an initial survey was carried out to investigate the potential of gold mineralization in the mine, which operated until 1950.

Contract no MN/PP/009/14, has a duration of 3 years (2014-2017), with the possibility of two extensions of 1 year each. The area covers the municipalities of Góis, Pampilhosa da Serra, Castanheira de Pêra, Arganil and Pedrogão Grande, with an area of 252.75 Km2.

Throughout the exploration area, minerals of two types are known: stannous-tungstiferous (Sn-W), auro-argentiferous (Au-Ag) and auro-antimonic (Au-Sb).

noticia_20170721a

Former mining works

In the Escádia Grande mine, the subject of this drilling campaign, gold mineralization occurs in vein structures with a tabular to lenticular morphology in a general N30º-55ºW direction, inclination variable between 50º-60ºSW and thickness between 0.50-0.70 m.

noticia_20170721c

Steep seam inside a gallery on the 2nd floor

The objective is to conduct a detailed investigation into the morphology of the mineralized system, as well as the lateral extensions and depths, with a view to modelling a geological target, which could constitute a mineral resource with secondary works in the near future.

The campaign foresees the execution of 7 surveys over a total area of approximately 1,500 metres.

EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA, has just published in two widely circulated national newspapers an announcement of an informal market consultation for the implementation of photovoltaic plant projects in rehabilitated mining areas.

The proposals should provide the project for the installation of photovoltaic plants in rehabilitated former mining areas with the elements necessary to ensure its feasibility.

This informal and preliminary consultation on possible contracting does not formalize obligations of any kind for the actors involved.

See the advertisement here (in Portuguese).

The deadline for receipt of tenders is 16/8/2017.

The EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA, has just launched the tendering procedure for the contracted remediation of the former uranium exploration area of Mondego Sul in Tábua, a project supported by POSEUR that represents an investment of around 5.4 million euros.

The deadline for applications for the prior qualification of companies ends on 10/7/2017. It is expected to be completed by early 2019.

The project aims at eliminating, in the long term, the risk factors that constitute a threat to people’s health and safety, and the economic, cultural and scientific valorisation of the recovered areas.

Located by the Aguieira reservoir in the municipality of Tábua, this investment will allow the conditioning, stabilization and sealing of the waste materials and landscaping around the former exploration area, which will be maintained with water inside.

On 9 June 2017, EDM presented the second phase of the environmental reclamation works at the São Domingos mine, which took place at the São Domingos mine on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of Partners of the Guide of the Portuguese Geological and Mines Sites, and also the 6th São Domingos Miners’ Meeting.

This act was chaired by the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches.

The second phase of the environmental reclamation of the São Domingos mine will intervene with the channels of the left bank of São Domingos river and in the mining area, with an extension of 9.5 Km.

sdomingos_fase2

The total planned investment is 3.4 million euros and will be co-financed by EU funds through the Programa Operacional Sustentabilidade e Eficiência no Uso de Recursos (POSEUR).

The contracted work of this phase will be concluded by April 2019.

The Annual Meeting of Partners of the Guide of the Portuguese Geological and Mines Sites was held in the São Domingos mine on 8 and 9 June 2017.

This meeting brought together representatives of the partners of the guide, the DGEG and the EDM, and was hosted by the Serrão Martins Foundation and the Municipality of Mértola.

The Guide is a partnership between the DGEG and the EDM and brings together 32 partners.

At the meeting, topics such as COMMUNICATION IN SCIENCE, DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE and ORAL MEMORIES AND IDENTITY were discussed.

In addition, the international conference THE IBERIAN PYRITE BELT – PRESENT AND FUTURE took place, in which themes such as “Social and Environmental Reclamation of Mines at the End of their Lifespan” (Alfredo Franco) and “Local Development and Mining Tourism “(Patricia Chapela Cabrera and Juan Antonio Marquez) were dealt with.

This conference and the activities of the meeting were closed by the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches.

There was also a technical visit to the old mining area of São Domingos, guided by the Serrão Martins Foundation, the EDM and the LNEG.

The “Lithium” Working Group report, created by Order No. 15040/2016 of the Secretary of State for Energy, published in the DR, 2nd Series, dated 13 December 2016, and which the EDM has integrated, can be accessed via the DGEG website.

All those interested will be able to put forward their comments and suggestions until 8 July, on a specific form found on the website mentioned.

areas_litio

On 26 May 2017, EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA, assigned the works contract to Conduril Engenharia, SA, which is the start of the first phase of the environmental reclamation works in the São Domingos former mining area in the municipality of Mértola, with a value of 2.8 million euros.

POSEUR will fund 85% of eligible costs.

This work has a deadline of 14 months and should be concluded by 31/8/2018.

The contracted work will involve the construction of a retention basin and an irrigation system on the right bank to divert the water from leaching pollution, thus significantly reducing the amount of acidic water. The intervention will also enable a reduction in the discharge of pollutants, particularly in the Rio Chança dam.

In addition, the intervention of this 1st phase as a whole includes the following actions:

The total investment of this 1st phase is approximately 3.8 million euros.

The intervention of EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro takes place under the concession contract awarded by the State, on an exclusive basis, for the environmental reclamation of degraded mining areas (DL 198-A/2001-6/7).

After this 1st phase there will be 5 more phases.

The mining area of São Domingos, decommissioned in 1966, was mined for copper and sulphur for the production of sulphuric acid, as well as by-products such as lead, nickel, cobalt, silver, cadmium, arsenic, antimony and tin.

The Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches, appointed Mário Jorge Ferreira Guedes as substitute for the post of Director General of Energy and Geology, replacing Carlos de Almeida, who left office on 11 April 2017, at his own request, and consequently resigned as voting member of the Board of Directors of EDM-Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA.

Holding a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from the University of Minho, the new Director General of Energy and Geology has a degree in Mining and Geoenvironmental Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto.

The Government highlights the technical competence, aptitude, professional experience and appropriate training of Mário Jorge Ferreira Guedes for the exercise of the respective functions.

In an interview with Antena 1, on the Portugal Direct programme of 6 April, the Chairman of EDM, Rui Rodrigues, highlighted the work carried out in the field of environmental remediation of degraded and abandoned former mining areas under the concession contract signed with the State in 2001. To date, work has been carried out on more than 100 former mining areas, and work is expected to accelerate in the coming months, as a result of the priority given to these actions and the instruments that the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches, has been making available to the programme.

An integrated vision based on sustainable development was highlighted in the interview, particularly in terms of the involvement of local communities, highlighting the PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS concluded with the various municipalities in the rehabilitated areas, following a policy of prioritization of proximity as an essential element for the ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR CULTURAL, TOURISM, GEOLOGICAL AND MINERAL POTENTIAL.

This interview can be heard in full at the link below (in Portuguese).

The Directorate-General of Energy and Geology, in partnership with EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro and more than three dozen other entities, is promoting, until 9 April, mining and geological heritage around the mainland and the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

The initiative, which forms part of the “Partners of the Mining Trail and Geological Points of Interest of Portugal Week”, aims at the scientific dissemination, associated with geology and mines, as well as the exploration of the potential of the territories where extractive activities occurred, thus providing the population with a varied and unprecedented range of experiences.

It includes special visits to different sites of geological and mining interest, museum reservations, as well as former Roman mines. The list also includes educational laboratories and other activities for younger visitors, film presentations and conferences.

The details of the programme will be made available by the organizers, and may be consulted at www.roteirodeminas.pt.

EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA presented, on 25 March, a project to recover the former uranium mines of Mondego Sul, in the district of Coimbra. The ceremony, which was chaired by the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches, was attended by the Mayor of Tábua, Mário Loureiro, and the chairman of EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA, Rui Rodrigues.

The start-up of the project, which will last 11 months, is scheduled for this year, involving a total investment of 5.4 million euros, with 85% of eligible costs (78% of the total) to be financed by the Operational Programme for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources (POSEUR).

The intervention model, which involves a large part of the district of Coimbra, includes hydrological/environmental and radiological aspects, as well as the volume of waste to be treated, the degree of sensitivity and profusion of local aquifer levels and surface water bodies, climatic factors, the location and the proximity of the local population.

The completion of these works will ensure the recovery of a total area of around 21.5 hectares, ensuring the confinement and sealing of around 580 thousand cubic metres of mining waste.

During the execution of the work, the current measures required for permanent hydrochemical control and monitoring of surface and deep water will also continue to be implemented.

The appropriate recovery and integration of the mine into the landscape will also be ensured across the entire area.

EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA thus emphasizes the quality of the interventions to be carried out and the resulting benefits for local populations.

The mining area to be recovered, which worked as an open pit between 1987 and 1991, is located next to the former mouth of Ribeira de São Simão, which currently forms part of the backwaters of the Aguieira reservoir.

 

IMG_7272 IMG_7274 IMG_7321 IMG_7340 IMG_7363 IMG_7379 IMG_7386 IMG_7395 IMG_7399 IMG_7406

On Friday, 17 March 2017, the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches, visited Green Business Week and attended the EDM stand.

Green Business Week is an event focusing on the challenges of sustainability and the promotion of green growth, and at the same time acts as a meeting point for the transfer of knowledge.

EDM’s participation focused on the dissemination of activities carried out by the company, which fall under the recovery of geological resources and the environmental remediation of areas degraded by abandoned former mining operations.

Skip to content