HydroGeoLogica’s geochemists have a wide range of experience and expertise in acid rock drainage and metals leaching (ARD/ML) issues. The foundation of ARD/ML solutions is material sampling and testing. We rely on industry standard static, kinetic, and customized laboratory and field testing to characterize materials to support ARD/ML studies. Rigorous data sets serve as the basis for developing reaction rates, source term chemistries, and general leaching behavior which are then used as input to geochemical models.
Our team includes experts in geochemical modeling and ARD/ML prediction, or, in the case of existing impacted sites, understanding the fundamental geochemical mechanisms underlying ARD/ML behavior. Characterization and modeling techniques are applied to select cost effective and creative solutions that minimize environmental impacts, costs, and management.
HydroGeoLogica has extensive experience in mine closure and mine waste management with a focus on low cost and industry standard closures, including passive treatment technologies. We strive to identify opportunities and solutions that are already present at your site, such as blending of materials or waters to take advantage of existing buffering or agents to immobilize metals. We are also experienced at designing and developing natural attenuation studies to demonstrate the potential of natural processes to mitigate ARD/ML excursions.
HydroGeoLogica develops customized software to streamline the modeling process including development of ways to help various programs “talk” to each other. This helps improve computational rigor, reduces the likelihood of errors, and allows us to do more in less time! Such development include coupling water flow modeling (e.g., in GoldSim) with geochemical modeling (e.g., in PHREEQC or Geochemist’s Workbench) to provide a more robust and holistic understanding and solution to our mining and industrial clients.
