WSP Environmental Services for Mining and Metals

Having a clear understanding of the site geochemistry and its influence on water quality and waste management is a key discriminator between the success and failure of a mining project.

Our geochemistry experts have extensive experience in assessing existing geochemical conditions and predicting future outcomes related to acid generation, metals leaching and water quality, providing valuable input to baseline studies, environmental impact assessments, resource recovery, mine waste and mine water management programs, and mine closure studies.

WSP provides services for both simple and complex environmental systems at mining sites containing various material types and interactions. From sampling plan development through interpretation of analytical results and implementation of action items, our geochemists have a proven record of success

ACID ROCK DRAINAGE AND METAL LEACHING Acid rock drainage and metal leaching (ARD/ML) frequently affect mining operations, requiring careful evaluation during development, operation, and closure of mining facilities. WSP offers a wide range of ARD/ML related services, including: „ Characterization of mine wastes, geologic materials and construction materials „ Monitoring „ Evaluation of operational strategies for source control, abatement and mitigation „ Preparation of ARD/ML management plans „ Active and passive mine water treatment „ Reclamation/revegetation assessment and implementation „ Development of industry and regulatory guidance documents

HYDROGEOCHEMICAL MODELING WSP has extensive hydrogeochemical modeling capabilities and maintains a large, state-of-the-art software library. Hydrogeochemical modeling is a valuable tool for understanding the fate and transport of chemical constituents at mining projects and has been used by WSP for a wide variety of purposes over the entire mine life cycle, from exploration to post-closure, including: „ Generation and mitigation of ARD/ML „ Contaminant bioavailability „ Treatability studies „ Prediction of environmental impacts „ Background determination/baseline assessment (natural, mineralized, anthropogenic) „ Source apportionment and forensics „ Pit lake water quality „ Cyanide fate and transport „ Fate and transport of stable and radiogenic isotopes, radionuclides

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