Waste Geochemistry

Issue #34: Waste Geochemistry

Are your environmental data defensible?

As international environmental standards grow in complexity and corporations become more aware of their responsibilities, regulators and special interest groups are closely scrutinising sample selection and analytical methods, and quality assurance results for data used to predict environmental impacts. read full article…

Improve reliability of post-closure water quality predictions

Long-term water quality predictions are essential for innovative closure planning at mine sites. From years of experience, SRK has found that data from seepage monitoring programs can be a reliable indication of water quality when combined with careful characterisation of the wastes.
Regular seepage surveys can be easily incorporated into routine water quality monitoring programs. They are one of the many contributions that the site environmental staff can contribute to the closure planning process. read full article…

New porphyry copper mine approval

The sharp rise in commodity prices and a favourable political climate have sparked a strong interest in developing mineral properties in western Canada and the US. The rebirth of mining in these areas after years of absence is an exciting and positive occurrence for miners, operators, and the business community. read full article…

South America: Offices bring full power of SRK to their clients’ door

As in other parts of the world the Mining Industry in South America is expanding at astonishing speed. As a consequence the need for high-level expertise in all aspects of the mining industry has never been greater and SRK in South America has been playing a key role in support to its clients. read full article…

Solving mining challenges in Africa & the Middle East

SRK’s geochemists are involved in solving wide-ranging waste management challenges faced by mine operators throughout Africa and the Middle East. Our offices in the region are located in South Africa, Turkey and Zimbabwe. read full article…

In Memoriam: Ingrid Rozas Valenzuela

This newsletter is dedicated to our friend and colleague, Ingrid Rozas Valenzuela, of Santiago, Chile who died suddenly in July of this year. Ingrid joined SRK in September 2005. Initially, she spent seven months in Vancouver working with Stephen Day, Kelly Sexsmith and others in the GeoEnvironmental Department. She then returned to Santiago to develop this business area in Chile and South America; she embarked on the project with great enthusiasm and had begun to see the rewards of her effort by way of a number of interesting project leads. read full article…

The United Kingdom has thousands of abandoned metal mines

The United Kingdom has thousands of abandoned metal mines stretching from base metal mines in Scotland to gold and copper mines in the Cambrian mountains of Wales to tin mines in Cornwall. Metal mining has occurred since 500 BC or over 2500 years. Mining in the UK peaked in the 18th and 19th centuries with more than 2000 active mines, all of which are now abandoned. The mines have left a legacy of derelict land and contamination of surface water by metals. read full article…

Selective handling of wastes can reduce future treatment costs

SRK has helped numerous mining clients limit non-compliant discharge of contaminants by identifying major sources of contamination. This work enables selective handling of specific wastes, and equally important, lowers future costs substantially. For modern mine operators, the possibility of environmental impact is a primary consideration. Very often, the greatest environmental risks are posed by the leaching of heavy elements, the generation of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) and discharge to the surrounding environment, and the possibility of land contamination. read full article…

SRK expands its geochemical services in Australia

Two senior staff members of ANSTO, Andrew Garvie and Claire Linklater, have joined our Sydney office. Their specific expertise centres on ARD assessment, waste rock and stockpile management planning. Both have experience in the measurement and modelling of relevant processes and will expand SRK’s ability to predict the behaviour of waste rock dumps and heap leach piles. read full article…

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