Students from the Higher Technical Degree in Mining Processes at the Andalgalá Higher Education Institute (IES Andalgalá) in Argentina's Catamarca Province participated in a water quality monitoring campaign alongside technical teams from the Provincial Directorate of Mining Environmental Management (DIPGAM) and the MARA copper-gold project.
By Panorama Minero
Fieldwork was carried out along the Andalgalá, Potrero and Choya rivers, where participants measured a range of physicochemical water quality parameters. During the campaign, students used specialized equipment and applied environmental monitoring methodologies to collect data for the ongoing assessment and management of local water resources.
According to the institute, the information gathered will be incorporated into technical reports and combined with results from previous monitoring campaigns to expand the environmental database for the river basins under study.
The institution also noted that the initiative provided students with the opportunity to apply their academic training in a field setting through direct participation in environmental monitoring activities.
MARA reported that the campaign included measurements of pH, electrical conductivity and streamflow, as well as field sampling. The company said the initiative forms part of its efforts to encourage the participation of educational institutions in environmental monitoring programs.
Agreement Expands Professional Training Opportunities
Separately, IES Andalgalá signed an agreement with G&C Andalgalá Perforaciones to provide professional internships for students enrolled in the Mining Processes and Occupational Health and Safety technical programs.
The initiative is aimed at third-year students, who will be able to complete internships at the company's facilities in Andalgalá as well as at the mining projects and operations where it provides drilling services, including MARA, in addition to sites in Antofagasta de la Sierra and other locations across Catamarca Province.
According to the company, the agreement is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which seeks to expand training opportunities for local students and contribute to the development of a skilled mining workforce.
