GREENSTONE – As Enbridge Gas inc begins constructing a pipeline for Greenstones Gold Mine’s open-pit mine four kilometres south of Geraldton, the Municipality of Greenstone is warning residents of blasting operations that are set to occur next week.
The Greenstone Gold Mine Pipeline Project encompasses the former Hardrock, MacLeod-Cockshutt and Mosher underground mines, which operated from the late 1930s until 1970. The site produced more than two million ounces of gold.
For safety reasons, seismic monitoring equipment has been installed at locations on either side of the blast site to measure the ground vibrations and ensure that vibration levels are within the standard guidelines.
As each blast occurs, residents will hear a standard blasting siren before initiation and following the completion of each explosion.
Residents will hear three short sirens to warn workers to clear the area, followed by another short siren to signal the imminent blast a minute later. After the blast, the blaster-in-charge will inspect the blast site to ensure complete detonation of charges has taken place, and then an All-Clear siren is sounded.