General Mine Land Assessments: Abandoned/Inactive Mine Lands
Ouray, San Miguel, San Juan, & Gunnison Counties, Colorado
WWL has performed more than 25 abandoned/inactive mine assessments throughout western Colorado and eastern Utah. The studies are designed to assess the liabilities associated with the sites by evaluating whether the sites pose any potential threats to human health and the environment, and if so what actions are warranted to mitigate or otherwise reduce the threats.
Our experience allows us to quickly and efficiently assess general site conditions during initial site reconnaissance and identity the sites at which additional investigative measures are warranted to assess the threats posed by the sites. If sampling or other data collection actions are required to fully assess potential threats, our understanding of mine operations in combination with our expertise in the geologic and hydrologic sciences allows us to design and implement cost-effective sampling and analysis programs focusing on the specific contaminants and chemical parameters of potential concern resulting from former operations at mine and mill sites.
Depending on the complexity of any given site, our characterization programs generally include collection of water samples from adit discharges; seepage from waste rock dumps and tailings deposits; settling basins or other onsite impoundments; and receiving streams, lakes, and wetland areas. In addition, waste rock and tailings samples are commonly collected for Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure analysis to evaluate constituent concentrations in leachate derived from the waste rock and tailings. Sampling is accomplished using industry-accepted procedures and protocols established by WWL to ensure collection of high-quality, defensible data. All data received from the analytical laboratory is reviewed and validated for completeness and accuracy in accordance with strict quality assurance protocols and uploaded to chemical databases developed and maintained by WWL. The resulting data are used to complete the data interpretations and water quality assessments needed to evaluate potential impacts to water resources downstream of the site.
Ouray, San Miguel, San Juan, & Gunnison Counties, Colorado
WWL has performed more than 25 abandoned/inactive mine assessments throughout western Colorado and eastern Utah. The studies are designed to assess the liabilities associated with the sites by evaluating whether the sites pose any potential threats to human health and the environment, and if so what actions are warranted to mitigate or otherwise reduce the threats.
Our experience allows us to quickly and efficiently assess general site conditions during initial site reconnaissance and identity the sites at which additional investigative measures are warranted to assess the threats posed by the sites. If sampling or other data collection actions are required to fully assess potential threats, our understanding of mine operations in combination with our expertise in the geologic and hydrologic sciences allows us to design and implement cost-effective sampling and analysis programs focusing on the specific contaminants and chemical parameters of potential concern resulting from former operations at mine and mill sites.
Depending on the complexity of any given site, our characterization programs generally include collection of water samples from adit discharges; seepage from waste rock dumps and tailings deposits; settling basins or other onsite impoundments; and receiving streams, lakes, and wetland areas. In addition, waste rock and tailings samples are commonly collected for Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure analysis to evaluate constituent concentrations in leachate derived from the waste rock and tailings. Sampling is accomplished using industry-accepted procedures and protocols established by WWL to ensure collection of high-quality, defensible data. All data received from the analytical laboratory is reviewed and validated for completeness and accuracy in accordance with strict quality assurance protocols and uploaded to chemical databases developed and maintained by WWL. The resulting data are used to complete the data interpretations and water quality assessments needed to evaluate potential impacts to water resources downstream of the site.