Environmental monitoring map

populated area

Pumping Station

air measurement point

Biodiversity area

Biological cleaner

Chemical cleaner

Surface water sampling point

Soil monitoring area

Discharge Water

Groundwater sampling well

Ichthyofauna monitoring point

river
RMG Gold | RMG Copper
RMG Auramine
Monitoring Reports are prepared by RMG’s Environmental Protection Department and includes environmental components monitoring – atmospheric air, water and soil results, evaluated by laboratory and instrumental methods.
Monitoring is carried out in line with the MEPA-agreed (Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia) Environmental Monitoring (self-monitoring) plan, prepared by the JSC RMG Copper and RMG Gold LTD.
Monitoring Methods and Tools Used
Water
Considering the impact sources, regular check-ups on specific points of surface and underground waters are carried out by the company’s environmental lab, while if needed, in an independent, accredited laboratory as well, with laboratory and instrumental methods.
Water sample checks are handled at company’s environmental laboratory, on stationary equipment of appropriate calibration certification. At the laboratory, the analytical sample is prepared and arranged for chemical analysis and laboratory research on copper, iron, zinc, manganese and sulfate ion contains. The analysis is carried out by the method of spectrophotometry, with the HACH’s brand spectrophotometer. Standard methods are compliant to EPA (USEPA) with the following programs: Copper – Copper Bicinconinate Method, Method 8506 and Method 8026 (0.04 to 5.00 mg/l); Iron – FerroVer Method 8008 (0.02 to 3.00 mg/l); Zinc – Zincon Method 8009 (0.01 to 2.00 mg/l); Sulfation – SulfatVer 4 Method 8009 (2.0 to 70.0 mg/l).
Atmospheric air
Considering the local receptors and impact sources, monitoring at specially selected areas include the measurement of dust, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and combustion products (CO, NOx) maximum single concentrations (mg/m3) and noise level (decibel) in the atmospheric air, using an instrumental method.
Dust is measured with a portable device, which provides accurate, real-time measurement of dust particles, based on beam scattering, and determines the dust concentration in the atmosphere. It is measured 3 times, with intervals of 15-20 minutes, after which the average data is defined.
The dust concentration is measured with CASELLA CEL-712 portative device, which provides accurate, real-time measurement of dust particles, based on beam scattering, and determines the single concentration of dust in the atmosphere; for defining the noise level, the TESTO 816 sound level meter is being used. In order to measure the hydrocyanic acid and combustion products are measured with Dräger X-am 5600 and INDUSTRIAL SCIENTIFIC RADIUS BZI, VENTIS Pro Series portable detectors.
soil
In order to evaluate the possible impact of production processes and observe soil quality, soil monitoring is carried out at the selected areas within RMG Gold Sakdrisi heap leaching impact area.
Soil sampling is carried out from within the enterprise and in its vicinity, on homogeneous category lands, in order to determine the acid-alkaline (PH) balance, cyanide and heavy metals.
Samples for laboratory research are taken by the envelope method: in agricultural plots, on non-agricultural land areas (road perimeters, area ditches, sparse areas) and forest groves.
With spots sampling (sub-samples), the organic layer is removed from the research mass taken from the depth of about 10-15cm from the soil surface, is packaged, labelled, and sent for research to an independent accredited laboratory. The mass of the sample accumulates to 1 kg and is sent to the lab to be checked on heavy metals (copper, zinc, iron, cadmium, manganese, lead) and cyanide contents.
In addition to this, at the same areas (in the field) the regular checks are carried for the initial PH indicators in the soil layer with a portable measuring device BLUELAB Soil PH meter.
The above-mentioned field monitoring results of environmental components are recorded in the acts, while the data recording, analysis and statistical information processing is carried out in the relevant electronic modules (tables). Below are the monthly reports of the implemented monitoring results.