Geotest Projects Eldorado Gold, Skouries oriented core geotechnical, Greece

Project Information

The Skouries porphyry gold-copper deposit in Northern Greece is centered on a small (less than 400m in diameter), pencil-porphyry stock. Mineralization extends for more than 920m depth from surface. Prior to rockmass classification assessment and decline design, a set of geotechnical data was collected through drilling.

Client :Eldorado Gold
Location :Central Greece
Year launched :2013
Status :Finished
Value :2.5M €
Drilled :>8,000 meters

Project Description

A complex 3-year long project that involved a range of geotechnical drilling. This is the project that collected the first robust dataset on the geotechnical characteristics of Skouries. Three (3) drilling rigs with experienced crew, performed deep boreholes, deep borehole permeability testing (packer installation) and monitoring equipment installation. Collected samples were analyses through extensive lab testing for their geotechnical properties.

Project Challenge

Challenging project with variable rock conditions, excess underground water and drilling through altered rocks.

Deep boreholes >800m
In-situ water pressure testing and monitoring equipment installation
Difficult drilling conditions with excess pressurized water

RESULTS

A successful complex geotechnical project that required lots of resources, preparation and constant monitoring. The data collected were used in design of the Skouries mine