Client: Teck-Pogo, Inc.
Location: Goodpastor River, Alaska
Project Completion: 2007
PDC Involvement:
- Control Surveys
- Photo Control Surveys
- Design Surveys
- Test Hole Location Surveys
- Route Surveys
- Easement Preparation
- Right of Way Surveys
In 1997 the site of the Pogo Mine consisted of a few ATCO exploration trailers tucked in a flat spot between a hill and the Goodpastor River, fifty-some roadless miles from the Alaska Highway. Today it is a world-class hard rock gold mine.
PDC surveyors were there from the beginning. Their work began by performing a major GPS/helicopter photo control survey in 1997 to establish the project coordinate grid system and locate photo ID points for aerial mapping. Additional surveying was accomplished over the years and included:
- GPS test hole location
- As-built surveys of the lower camp for engineering design
- Design surveys for pond design and mine roads
- Exploratory shaft orientation
- River and stream crossing surveys for bridge and drainage sites
- Additional control and photo control surveys for the main access road
- Access road centerline surveys for archaeological exploration
- Easement preparation and right of way work for the access road
Much of this work was accomplished under harsh conditions and compressed time schedules. The mine, mill, infrastructure, and access road were substantially completed in 2005, and the mine is now in production. PDC’s initial control survey grid is still being used today.
