Ongoing projects and Achievements
Leeville Zone 25 Project – Nevada Gold Mines (Nevada, USA)
Hydro-Ressources supported the dewatering program for Zone 25 at the Leeville mine, located in the Carlin gold district. A series of pilot holes and hydrogeological tests were carried out to identify the most favorable locations for future dewatering wells. The results allowed the client to target highly productive zones and prioritize well placement to maximize pumping efficiency. This project demonstrates Hydro-Ressources’ expertise in hydrogeological characterization and in providing direct operational support for mine planning.
Sierra Caraz Project – Peru
Hydro-Ressources was retained to support a mining project in the Caraz region of Peru. The main goal was to better understand hydrogeological conditions in order to plan dewatering and groundwater management strategies. Our team performed specialized field tests, data analysis, and structural interpretations to identify water-bearing zones and evaluate their potential influence on mine operations. These results provide the client with a strong foundation for future development and proactive water management in an Andean setting.
Côté Gold Project – Iamgold (Ontario, Canada)
Hydro-Ressources completed an integrated water management study for the Côté Gold open-pit mine in northern Ontario. Our work included 3D groundwater flow modeling, surface hydrology analysis, and the design of a long-term pumping system. The study evaluated expected inflows and provided strategies for pit wall depressurization and overall water management. This comprehensive approach gave Iamgold a realistic and safe plan for dewatering throughout the mine’s life. The project highlights our ability to combine field testing, innovation, and advanced modeling to support the development of large-scale mining projects.
Calibre Mina El Limòn
Calibre Mining operates the El Limón mine in western Nicaragua, which includes an open-pit area (Limon Central) and three underground operations (Santa Pancha, Panteon, Veta Nueva). The underground mines have been facing significant hot water inflows. To enhance production and reduce underground temperatures, Calibre plans to dewater the Panteon Norte area before mining.Hydro-Ressources was contracted in 2023 to analyze existing data and propose an effective dewatering strategy, including a drilling campaign and fieldwork.
Perron Project – Amex Exploration (Québec, Canada)
For the Perron gold project in Québec’s Abitibi region, Hydro-Ressources carried out a hydrogeological study to support exploration and future mine development. The focus was placed on identifying potential inflows and planning appropriate dewatering measures for a geologically complex environment. The study allowed priorities to be set for upcoming drilling and provided integrated water management strategies for advanced exploration phases. This project reflects Hydro-Ressources’ expertise in guiding exploration companies toward a clearer understanding of hydrogeological conditions before moving into mine development.
Méquillon Project – Canadian Royalties (Québec, Canada)
Canadian Royalties engaged Hydro-Ressources to conduct a hydrogeological study at the Méquillon mine, a developing project in northern Québec. The objective was to assess potential groundwater inflows near future underground workings, in a challenging permafrost environment. Field testing and structural analysis were carried out to identify active water zones and evaluate their potential impact. The results confirmed the presence of infiltration zones and helped refine recommendations for safe mine development. This project highlights Hydro-Ressources’ ability to work in northern environments where water management is critical to the success of mining operations.
First Majestic Silver Corp - Santa Elena
The Santa Elena mine is located in the state of Sonora, northern Mexico, about 150 km from Hermosillo. It is 100% owned and operated by the Canadian company First Majestic Silver Corp. The mine is an underground operation focused on extracting silver and gold.The complex includes two main mines: Santa Elena and Ermitaño. The Ermitaño deposit, located 3.5 km from the main processing plant, began production in 2021 and reached commercial scale in 2022. This addition increased the overall capacity and efficiency of the mining complex. In 2024, the mine produced approximately 10.3 million ounces silver equivalent, including 1.5 million ounces of silver and 104,000 ounces of gold. Proven and probable reserves total 10.5 million ounces of silver and 307,000 ounces of gold. Measured and indicated resources are estimated at 16.3 million ounces silver and 435,000 ounces gold. Ore is extracted using modern underground mining methods, with a strong focus on safety and operational efficiency. Development work is ongoing to access new mineralized zones.First Majestic is also actively exploring around the complex to identify new deposits and extend the mine’s life. Santa Elena remains a key asset in the company’s portfolio in Mexico.
Pine Point-Osisko Metals
Osisko Metals' Pine Point project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories, between Hay River to the west and Fort Resolution to the east. The Pine Point project has strong potential for mineral resource expansion. Hydro-Ressources was mandated to estimate the flows entering the 53 future mines during the preliminary economic study. Several field tests have been carried out by HRI technical staff since 2020, and to this day we are still working in concert with Osisko. Hydro-Ressources has completed its largest digital simulation project to date with this project.
Los Gatos-Gatos Sliver
Los Gatos is an open pit underground mine located in the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. In 2018, despite the presence of 12 surface capture wells, mining operations encountered high water flows underground. In addition, this water of more than 60 degrees celcius made the challenge even more difficult. Thanks to profile tracing tests, it was possible to isolate a permeable fault and to build 2 underground capture wells with greater flow rates than all the other wells combined.
Goldcorp Eleonore Project
Goldcorp recently started operating the Éléonore mine, located in the James Bay region. It is an underground mine which will have a depth of around 1,400m. Currently, the exploration well has been completed to a depth of 690m and the production well and ramp are under construction (at approximately 900m). Goldcorp is also in the process of analyzing the recovery of the surface pillar via an open pit mining.
Excellon Resources La Platosa
Excellon Resources is a Canadian company that operates a silver mine in the Durango region of Mexico. The company is currently mining at a depth of around 140m and the groundwater level is around 130m deep. In the sectors located under the roof of the aquifer, water infiltration is major and the pumping rate at the beginning of 2016 is 17,000 usgpm. A dewatering project is underway and the objective is to increase the pumping rate to 28,000usgpm. To carry out this project, a sequence of underground wells are under construction. The Technosub company installs the pumps in the mine.
Stornoway Mine Fox
Located 350 km northeast of Chibougamau, the Renard diamond mine, Stornoway's flagship project, is the only diamond mine in Quebec. Following some incongruities of the piezometric measurements compared to the models developed at the level of operational dewatering, Hydro-Ressources proposes a series of tracing tests in profile in the surface holes as well as underground pumping tests in order to better define the site fault network. Understanding underground flows is essential for the design and planning of operational dewatering.
Nyrstar Cumberland
The Cumberland zinc mine is part of a mining complex (Nyrstar Tennessee Mines) belonging to the Nyrstar company. It is a room and pillar type underground mine with a depth of about 500m. The deposit is located in paleo-karst, in a surrounding rock composed of limestone.
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