Services / Environmental Science
Mine Sites
Hard rock mining activities can have significant environmental consequences. Contamination of surface water and groundwater supplies is one the most persistent effects. Hydrosphere has extensive experience investigating surface and groundwater quality contamination from tailings, waste rock and processing materials in Idaho, Montana, Colorado, California and New Mexico. We have prepared sampling and analysis plans for collection of surface waters and mining wastes, determined the sources of contamination, prepared Natural Resource Damage claims, served as principal experts in Clean Water Act suits on acid mine drainage, and analyzed costs and benefits of continued on-site treatment of acid drainage. We continue to provide technical assistance in mine-related water quality issues for the Eagle River Watershed Council.
- Hydrosphere's mine site assessment services include:
- Designing and implementing surface water, groundwater, sediment and waste sampling and monitoring plans
- Evaluating the acid mine drainage potential of waste rock and geologic materials
- Evaluating the chemical speciation and bioavailability of metals in waters impacted by acid drainage
- Geochemical and hydrologic modeling of contaminants in surface waters impacted by mining activities
- Assessing restoration and treatment alternatives for mine site clean ups
- Characterizing sources and pathways of contamination
- Providing expert testimony on water quality, hydrology and engineering aspects of
mine sites