EIS Support, Cortez Hills Expansion Project
Integral hydrogeologists and geochemists, under prior employment, developed and conducted a comprehensive materials characterization program that included hydraulic (aquifer tests) and geochemical (static and kinetic) testing. A basin-scale regional groundwater flow model and pit-lake water quality model were developed to evaluate the impacts to water resources during mine dewatering and pit filling. Various mining alternatives, including sequential mining, underground mining, and various pit configurations, were simulated to gauge their impacts to water resources. Comprehensive baseline investigations, ecological risk, and waste rock assessments were also conducted in support of an environmental impact statement (EIS).
The Cortez Hills expansion project required extensive interaction with the NEPA EIS writers, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, and EPA. The approaches used to establish baseline conditions and to evaluate potential impacts were presented at public scoping meetings, meetings with federal and state agencies, and to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to engage decision makers in a transparent manner. Ultimately, the work products were considered technically sound and supported a favorable record of decision for the mine in late 2008. The mine is currently operating with an expected reserve of approximately 13 million ounces.
This project reflects Integral staff experience gained under previous employment.
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