AQUATOX has the experience from a geochemical perspective to develop cost-effective solutions to mine drainage issues including neutral mine drainage (NMD), severe acidity and unusual trace element distributions. These issues are encountered during new mine permitting, optimisation of existing operations, development of closure plans and closure of abandoned mines.
The cornerstone of AQUATOX’s approach to these projects is that geochemical processes are controlled by geological and mineralogical conditions. We therefore focus on the geology and mineralogy of our client’s property in order to understand how it affects drainage chemistry and how it can be used to limit potential impacts and engineering costs.
Applied environmental mineralogy and geochemistry is an interdisciplinary field dealing with systems at, or near, the surface of the Earth where the geosphere comes into contact with the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.
Environmental management entails much more than management of the environment; rather it encompasses the management of humans’ interaction with and impact on the environment. Furthermore, it involves management of all aspects of the bio-physical environment, both living and non-living.
Aquatox has significant experience in carrying out the required processes to prepare and submit various applications for mining industry clients. This includes all the necessary baseline investigations feasibility assessments, public participation processes, impact assessments and related permits, licenses and authorisations.
AQUATOX offers an integrated approach to water quality management, tailoring the application of our specialist expertise in hydrogeology and chemistry/geochemistry to the particular needs of the facility concerned.
Our multi-specialist approach to water quality management involves biologists, chemists and engineers with expertise in a wide range of technologies, approaches and concepts. We begin by ensuring that we understand the system water balance and the influences on each component. We follow an integrated approach, thereby optimising water acquisition and re-use and minimising pumping/treatment costs. By then matching technology to client needs, we design management and treatment systems best suited to the needs.
We offer a comprehensive service covering auditing, technical investigations, options review, detailed process design, project management, commissioning and operator training. Our aim is to provide a cost-efficient and workable solution, with minimum maintenance burden and negligible risk to production activities.
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AQUATOX offers an integrated approach to mine water management, combining specialist expertise in hydrogeology with geotechnical, environmental and mining skills.
Our integrated approach to mine water management enables regulatory compliance and cost savings through:
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We combine our closure experience with all aspects of mining, specialist technical expertise and knowledge of local statutory requirements to identify and implement cost-effective closure solutions.
AQUATOX uses a top-down approach to mine closure and reclamation projects as follows: possible reclamation/closure solutions are identified, the most promising alternatives are selected and the data required to evaluate these alternatives are determined. Investigations, reviews and studies to collect and analyse these alternatives and to fill critical data gaps are then scoped and initiated. As data becomes available, the alternatives are ranked based on effectiveness, economics, residual risk and any other criteria specified by our client. Through discussion with our client and consultation with interested and affected parties a preferred solution is selected. Procurement documentation is then prepared for the preferred solution, which may then be implemented.
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AQUATOX can also assist your organization in obtaining 3rd party certification through our Certification Partner for your management in accordance with the following standards:
Companies will benefit from an independent and objective assessment of their own or their suppliers’ performance. AQUATOX guarantees impartiality so that clients can focus on their core business. In many cases we can save companies time and cost because of our access to a worldwide network of auditors that enables us to assess suppliers on site. Our auditors can detect typical weaknesses and support companies in choosing the right business partners.
AQUATOX has extensively used Risk Analysis and Risk Assessment methods to facilitate decision making related to a range of mining and environmental projects. Each decision taken within the management cycle is a result of the risk management optimisation process of identifying, assessing, and controlling the risks.
By implementing appropriate risk analysis and risk assessment methods we provide state-of-the-art solutions to our clients’ problems. Using the risk approach has resulted in significant cost savings for our clients by:
-Making well-informed decisions on the best utilisation of the available budget
-Making defensible decisions on the amount of risk the company takes
-Selecting the best alternative by conducting a cost-benefit or risk-cost analysis
-Reducing the liability of the company and the insurance premiums
-Facilitating a “trouble-free” permitting process.
AQUATOX provides its clients with a rational basis for making choices between alternative solutions; for prioritising action plans; and for negotiating with the authorities to demonstrate the efficacy of their proposals. For existing projects, we approach problems using an interactive process to include the experiential base that exists in the client’s organisation. Actual observations of, for example, failure frequency and failure type, may then be included in our analyses to assist in the calibration of models.
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-Risk analysis
-Risk assessment
-Gap analysis
-Cost-benefit analysis
-Decision analysis.
A mining or exploration company is faced with the task of satisfying numerous regulatory requirements administered by local, provincial or national authorities. The complexity is compounded by the formal and informal agreements between organisations and different spheres of government and by the conflicting regulatory requirements that arise. Regulatory compliance requires a multi-disciplinary approach to developing and managing projects. AQUATOX professionals have the skills and experience to ensure that permits are obtained in a cost and time efficient manner.
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-Operational planning
-Baseline studies/impact analysis
-Public involvement
-Operational monitoring
-Financial assurance
-Final closure planning/implementation
-Post-closure monitoring
-NEMA and related regulations
-Mine operations permitting
-Wetlands delineation and permitting
-Discharge permitting
-Reclamation and closure permitting.
AQUATOX’s practical experience with a range of mining and industrial facilities assures the identification of critical environmental issues on projects; decisions relating to the acquisition, permitting, operation and or closure can then be made with a clear understanding of the risks involved.
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AQUATOX can provide expertise in a wide range of water and environmental management areas along with novel solutions to the issues facing industry and government. AQUATOX specialists offer an integrated and comprehensive service, from conceptual design, construction and project management, to closure of operations. By offering sustainable solutions, AQUATOX plays a vital role in ensuring companies’ profitability.
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AQUATOX’s expertise in water and environmental technology includes:
-Integrated environmental management
-Environmental authorizations
-Water management
-Solid waste management
-Rehabilitation of disturbed sites
Environmental audits are tools that evaluate the effectiveness of existing environmental management systems, indicating whether the organisation is operating in an environmentally responsible manner (that complies with the organisation’s environmental policies and environmental legislation) and thereby avoid costly surprises. In addition, environmental audits identify weaknesses and risk areas in terms of potential environmental disasters and provide a forum for the exchange of technical knowledge and the identification of areas where costs can be saved.
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