Mining

Our Expertise

• Mining hydrology and environmental geochemistry

  Our expertise in this area includes exploring brine deposits to estimate lithium resources and conceptual and numerical modelling to estimate lithium reserves and resources. Our desk-based teams facilitate designing, implementing and operating packed-in salt flats exploration.

  We help clients to develop conceptual and numerical models in porous and fractured media. Our teams are experienced in monitoring and controlling water resources; water balance and recharge estimation; mine dewatering, hydrochemistry and contamination studies; and managing mine waste.

• Water interaction with mining components

  Our teams can simulate and predict water flows and the quality of the life cycle of mining components (open pits, underground mines, waste and tailings deposits). We are also trained in integrated water-management plans and overseeing the drainage of open-pit and underground mines. We are experienced in hydraulic engineering and geotechnical and hydraulic instrumentation.

• Acid rock drainage and metal leaching (ARD-ML)

  ARD-ML is a common issue for many mining operations and it can have significant negative impacts on the environment if it is not adequately mitigated. RSK experts are trained in managing environmental liabilities and hazardous mining waste; for example, characterising contaminated sites and the corresponding environmental liabilities and undertaking quantitative risk analysis of the environment. We can then devise strategies and implement remediation measures for dealing with ARD-ML. We provide efficient engineering designs under hydrogeochemical criteria for debris and tailings deposits.

• Remediation and contamination management and environmental liabilities

  RSK’s remediation services cover the complete life cycle of remediation, including characterisation and design; engineering, procurement and construction management; and operation and post-monitoring.

• Process optimisation and wastewater treatment

  RSK can optimise strategies and identify opportunities in the water cycle and evaluate and optimise processes in acid-water-treatment plants. We undertake geochemical evaluations of tailings dams and evaluate the management and processes for optimising leaching pads. We offer other services relating to desalination and mine-water treatment.

• Geotechnical and geophysical services

  Our teams can undertake geophysical surveys for geological mapping and mineshaft detection. Our specialists are experienced in using a variety of geophysical survey techniques, including seismic reflection and refraction for determination of the rockhead, stratigraphical succession and rock quality determination, microgravity surveying, resistivity tomography and electromagnetic ground conductivity.

• Mine closure

  RSK can help with producing mine-closure plans and evaluating the hydrological and chemical stability of components. We can waterproof and seal underground galleries and evaluate encapsulation, coverage and revegetation systems. We can provide hydraulic infrastructures, water management and treatment systems and have experience in developing passive treatments. Our desk-based specialists can research sustainable closure alternatives and estimate closure costs.

• Permitting and procedures

  Several RSK companies are expert in environmental baseline studies and permitting. Additionally, we support technical reports, statements and environmental impact studies for environmental monitoring. We can also facilitate acquiring water rights, files and letters of relevance.

• Environmental and social impact assessments

  RSK employs experts with extensive experience of developing and managing environmental, social and cultural heritage impact assessments to international standards. These include International Finance Corporation performance standards, World Bank Equator Principles and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development performance requirements.

• Digital mining

  RSK’s service offering includes remote sensing, instrumentation and automatisation and implementing new technologies, including Building Information Modelling (BIM).