Drones Prove Useful in Mineral Deposit

Based in Guyana, Barry Kevin O’Rourke guides S.A.B. Mining in the extraction of minerals and precious metals from the country’s jungle region. Barry Kevin O’Rourke maintains a professional interest in various topics related to mining and mineralogy.

Due to the ever-increasing demand for raw materials, exploration to identify large, valuable mineral deposits is essential. Traditional ground-based survey techniques such as soil and rock sampling are slow, expensive, and often dangerous, while large-scale mapping by plane and helicopter yields images with insufficient resolution for small-scale mapping.

At the same time, drone technology has steadily increased in both performance and affordability. Carrying lightweight sensors, drones can measure changes in reflected sunlight in visible and near-infrared regions, as well as changes in the Earth’s magnetic field. Both of these measurements can be used to determine the presence and quantity of key minerals at Earth’s surface. Drones present a non-invasive, cost-effective means of conducting pre-mining evaluations. They can also assess any impacts on the environment, such as soil erosion and vegetation stress, resulting from mining activities.

GGMC Announces ISO 9001:2015

Barry Kevin O’Rourke joined Guyana’s SAB Mining in 2016 and continues to serve in the position of a company director. In addition to overseeing the company, Barry Kevin O’Rourke attends various government functions related to the nation’s mining industry, including events hosted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

In July 2020, the GGMC announced that it had once again been approved for ISO 9001:2015 Land Management Division Certification. The GGMC described the re-certification as evidence of the organization’s ongoing commitment to upholding customer trust and avoiding disruption to services.

GGMC’s Land Management Division was initially certified in March 2011, as the nation began issuing permits for prospecting and mining as well as licenses for related work such as geological and geophysical surveys. ISO 9001:2015 standards apply to both medium- and large-scale mineral property licensure, ranging from Prospecting Permit Medium Scale to Permission for Geological and Geophysical Surveys, in addition to several other permit types.

GGMC and the Environmental Protection

Barry Kevin O’Rourke is the director of SAB Mining in Guyana. In addition to managing the mining company, Barry Kevin O’Rourke is a member of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

The GGMC oversees the nation’s mining and safety regulations, among other responsibilities. There are extensive safety protocols and legislation governing industry operations, such as the Environmental Protection Act of 1998.

The act functions as a sweeping blueprint for effective management and conservation practices that allow for the protection and improvement of natural lands while governing national response protocols regarding excessive pollution and other harmful byproducts. Furthermore, the act outlines the direct relationship between ongoing economic development and the state of the environment, most notably regarding the ethical and sustainable use of natural resources.

Specific elements of the legislation range from the formation of governing bodies, such as the Environmental Appeals Tribunal and the Environmental Assessment Board, to providing extensive information about general provisions and processes for different permitting scenarios. A more comprehensive breakdown of Guyana’s relationship with the Environmental Protection Act of 1998 can be found on the GGMC website at www.ggmc.gov.gy.