Permitting, Environmental, and Regulatory Compliance

EA identifies critical path activities which drive the permitting process and incorporates these activities into design and construction. EA staff provides ongoing compliance support to clients to ensure that facilities remain in compliance with permits, reporting, and state and federal regulations throughout the mine life. EA is experienced supporting clients with permitting facility expansions and modifications, equipment changes/additions, as well as addressing changing regulations. Our experience and knowledge of environmental regulations allows us to efficiently obtain required state, provincial, and federal permits.

Feasibility Studies

EA staff develop preliminary design details and feasibility-level cost estimates for identifying significant technical and economic issues that could impact project feasibility. These studies often include comprehensive review of historical site documentation and projected tailings production schedules, laboratory investigations of tailings samples to characterize their geotechnical and geochemical properties, and scoping-level identification of surface disposal sites for assessment of their geotechnical stability.

Baseline Environmental Studies

EA staff provide preliminary engineering design and support for the baseline environmental studies. Our staff work with the environmental staff to provide guidance for potential land impacts related to site activities.

Geologic Mapping/Geotechnical Evaluation

EA staff provide field mapping and geotechnical investigations to support the feasibility studies and siting evaluations.   The results of this work are provided to the project team and used to support the discussion about siting of critical facilities and identification of geologic and geotechnical fatal flaws.   The identification of these fatal flaws early in the process can save the client time and money as the project progresses.

Facility Siting Evaluations

EA staff complete site evaluations which often include scoping-level identification of surface disposal sites for assessment of their geotechnical stability and volumetric storage characteristics, geotechnical field and laboratory investigations of the preferred site to develop preliminary design criteria, and development of feasibility design drawings and an estimate of engineering and capital costs.  The layout of the preferred site is optimized to maximize volumetric capacity and geotechnical stability, while at the same time minimizing construction, operation, and reclamation costs.  Specific design analyses included volumetrics, infiltration and seepage modeling, local seismicity, liquefaction potential, consolidation and deformation, surface hydrology and hydraulics, and geotechnical and geochemical stability.

Hydrogeology and Water Supply Studies

Water and the management of water is critically important to mine development and operations. EA hydrologists are skilled in the investigation and analyses of water supplies for mine operations. This skill paired with our water balance modeling can give the client the tools they need for a successful operation.

Environmental Impact Statements

EA staff provide engineering support for the proposed actions and alternatives associated from the proposed mine site action.   We coordinate with the project team to adjust the proposed site section to minimize the environmental impacts to the site and community.

Adaptive Management Plans

EA develops these plans to help the client/owner and regulator establish and guide for planning, addressing, and prioritizing uncertainty at the site and possible outcomes related to site activities.  This plan addresses and provides documentation for actions taken at the site in response to the specific management and response plans.

Aquifer Protection Permits (APP)

The APP is required by the state of Arizona for any facility that discharges pollutants to the groundwater.  EA provides support to our clients to help them confirm that they meet the Aquifer Water Quality Standards (AWQS) and are employing the Best Available Demonstrated Control Technology (BADCT).

Corrective Action Plans

EA staff work with our clients to develop corrective action plans to address regulatory requirements at their site.  These plans may include groundwater components and engineering controls including surface water controls, covers, and stabilization of waste.

Environmental/Litigation Support

EA staff have litigation support and expert testimony for environmental releases associated with mine site activity. EA has provided these services for owners, insurance companies, and design engineers.

Permitting & Regulatory Services:

Engineering & Design

  • Site civil design
  • Structural design
  • Dam design, storage and delivery
  • Dam safety review, decommissioning
  • Hydraulics and hydrology
  • Geotechnical design
  • Geologic analyses, geologic hazards
  • Hydrogeology, geochemistry
  • Forensic studies, litigation support
  • Feasibility analyses, costing
  • Construction management

Process, Instrumentation, Controls

  • Water treatment design
  • Instrumentation, controls, and PLC
  • Electrical design, arc flash
  • Mechanical design

Environmental Monitoring & Compliance

  • Permitting, compliance
  • SPCC and SWPPP plans
  • Remedial investigations and site characterization
  • Groundwater remediation
  • Feasibility studies
  • Stormwater management
  • Health & safety
EA has experience with permits for Clean Water Act (CWA), NEPA / RCRA / CERCLA, Pollution Prevention Act (PPA), EPA RIFS, SI/CMS & RD/RA, and stormwater. EA also provides Alternate Concentration Limits (ACL) support.

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