Lagunas Norte

Lagunas Norte is an open-pit gold mining operation located in the La Libertad region, in north-central Peru, within the Andes mountain range. Locally known as Alto Chicama, the operation combines valley fill and heap leaching techniques, standing out for its technical and environmental approach to gold production.

In this context, a series of specialized services and studies were carried out to ensure the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the operation, as detailed below:

• Comprehensive geotechnical studies and field investigations: Studies were developed including drilling, test pits, geophysical and laboratory testing, as well as 2D and 3D stability analyses for pads, pits, and waste dumps, including slope evaluation, pipeline protection, and simulation of injection processes.
• Integrated mining infrastructure engineering: Engineering services were developed at the conceptual, basic, feasibility, and detailed levels for leach pads, waste dumps, ponds, pits, and organic soil storage facilities, including expansions, LOM updates, access ramp design, system connections (PLS), and overall optimization.
• Design of pads, waste dumps, and storage facilities: Designs were developed for waste dumps, leach pads, sludge ponds, waste rock storage facilities, and quarries, incorporating stability, operability, and mine closure criteria, as well as evaluations of low-permeability materials.
• Construction quality assurance (CQA/CQC): Quality control services were carried out during the construction of pads, ponds, ramps, and piping systems, including installation and repair of geosynthetics and supervision of associated civil works.
• Geotechnical inspections and evaluations: Annual inspections and geotechnical evaluations of ponds, dikes, and leach pads were conducted, verifying safety conditions, operability, and compliance with standards.
• Geophysical studies and advanced simulation: Studies were conducted using geoelectrical detection methods (dipole method), HDPE pipeline deflection testing, and advanced simulations to evaluate the hydraulic and structural behavior of systems.
• Environmental management and specialized studies: Development of hydrobiological and biodiversity monitoring, studies for environmental certification (ITS), quarry evaluation, and support for closure plans.
• Permitting, technical documentation, and EoR: Preparation of technical reports, permit documentation (ITM, authorizations), CAPEX estimates, and services as Engineer of Record (EoR), ensuring regulatory compliance and continuous operational support.