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Environmental responsibility is a fact of life in today’s industry. Corporations are constantly confronted with new laws and regulations and spend a great deal of time and money meeting environmental requirements. This can include adapting extraction processes, investing in emission-reducing and energy saving technologies and conducting ongoing environmental investigations. SGS offers the following environmental services to help you meet these ongoing challenges:
Acid Rock Drainage Services
Acid rock drainage (ARD), also referred to as acid mine drainage (AMD), is the outflow of acidic water from mining operations including waste rock, tailings, and exposed surfaces in open pits and underground workings.
SGS has been providing practical ARD solutions for the mining industry since 1998. We have developed a reputation as an organization with exceptional understanding of acid rock drainage and can provide you with the following services in the detection and control of ARD:
- Site investigation before, during, or after mining operations to ensure the scope of your ARD situation is completely understood.
- Comprehensive laboratory analysis of effluent for the prediction and characterization of ARD.
- Complete design and pilot scale testing of ARD treatment processes.
- Construction management, commissioning, and start-up of water treatment solutions.
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Acid Rock Drainage Testing
The characterization of the acid producing potential of ores is vital for the management of ARD and the prevention of long-term environmental liabilities. SGS offers a wide range of laboratory testing services to assist you in the preparation of environmental impact studies and to help with the prediction of ARD problems. Our laboratories can provide you with extensive analysis including the following standard ARD tests:
Static Acid Rock Drainage Tests
- Modified Acid Base Accounting (Lawrence, 1989)
- EPA Standard Acid Base Accounting (Sobek et al., 1978)
- Net Acid Production (NAP) test
- Net Acid Generation (NAG) test
- Diagnostic mineralogy to identify: sulphur mineral speciation, non-iron bearing sulphides, and the reactivity of sulphide minerals using:
- X-Ray diffraction (XRD)
- EXPLOMIN
- Optical microscopy
Kinetic Acid Rock Drainage Tests - Standard humidity cell testing (ASTM D5744-96)
- Column testing (sub-aqueous, sub-aerial)
Whether you are in the early characterization and prevention stage or a more advanced remediation phase, SGS is your independent technical partner. We have an unsurpassed reputation for delivering quality solutions to environmental challenges. Work with us to ensure your ARD problems are dealt with in an effective and environmentally responsible manner. Top
Water Treatment Services
At SGS we focus on helping you develop a truly sustainable water management plan, not just an end-of-pipe solution. We have the technical expertise to provide effective mitigating strategies and innovative, practical solutions that reduce the environmental impact of your operations. Our water treatment experts will conduct the following procedures to ensure your water treatment project is completed efficiently and affordably:
- Plant audit
- Review of current practices and requirements
- Site water balance
- Development of a water management plan
- Laboratory testing at specialized SGS laboratories
- On-site pilot-scale testing including effluent sampling on a 24-hour/day basis and a mobile treatment plant for batch treating contaminated solutions
- Design and engineering
- Construction management
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Laboratory Testing
The execution of analytical procedures for environmental purposes must be completed with the utmost attention to accuracy, reputable methodology and reliable operating procedures. SGS provides a wide range of laboratory testing services to assist our clients worldwide in the preparation of environmental audits and impact studies, as well as in the resolution of existing effluent problems. Some of our standard laboratory tests include:
- Acid Base Accounting sulfur speciation and ABA (EPA-Sobek) to determine if waste is potentially acid producing
- Shake flask extraction tests (EPA-1312) or modified extraction tests to quickly assess quality of run-off
- Special waste testing classification for waste disposal
- Column leaching tailings and waste rock disposal utilizing: blending, limestone addition, layering, surface and underground disposal, etc.
- Lysimeter testing - a method for improving assessment by generating data with a larger sample
- Subaqueous column weathering tests to determine effects of disposing waste rock and tailings underwater
- Humidity cell weathering tests – to simulate weathering conditions and characterize waste
As well, we can perform: - Cyanide detoxification studies
- Effluent treatment
- High Density Sludge (HDS) processing
- Precipitation and removal of dissolved metals
- Fine suspended solids settling
- Cyanide destruction using peroxide or SO2 processes
All laboratory work is performed in accordance with recognized global standards such as American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and International Standards Organization (ISO). Once laboratory testing is completed, SGS our experts will proceed with you to the pilot-scale testing phase of your water treatment project.
Partner with the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company for all your water testing and treatment needs and let SGS help you reduce your operational and environmental risks and liabilities. We have the experience and the technical expertise to provide you with most efficient and affordable methods of managing your water resources. Top
Environmental Laboratory Services
SGS is a trusted provider of specialized technical expertise and support globally. SGS is independent of industrial or sector organizations, authorities, and pressure groups within the minerals industry. This will provide you with unbiased and accurate results. We provide a complete range of laboratory analysis to meet the environmental requirements of metal producers and transporters in accordance with recognized standards. Our expertise includes analysis of:
- Water (waste water, groundwater, process water, drinking water)
- Soil (soil, sludges and water bottoms)
- Waste (hazardous waste, industrial waste)
- Air samples (gas bags and adsorption tubes)
- Sampling on-site
- Examining leachate
- Microbiology and parasitology
- Identification and reduction toxicity studies
- Environmental sampling and analysis programs
Our laboratories feature state-of-the-art instrumentation to provide accurate results with the optimum turn-around time. We monitor our proficiency by participating in internal and external round robin programs. In addition, our labs use of total quality management to ensure consistent operation on a daily basis. As well we have implemented statistical process control in all laboratories. Top
On-site Laboratories
SGS designs, staffs and operates hundreds of onsite laboratories globally. Many businesses outsource their lab operations because specific expertise is needed to run such facilities. Labs provide critical, operational, environmental and processing data that guide site activities. With our extensive experience in this area, SGS can design and operate your lab, allowing you to focus on your core business.
Subcontracting your lab operation to SGS allows you to allocate capital and staff more efficiently and ensures that the data you base important decisions upon is accurate and consistent. Also, using SGS ensures that you have an impartial third party partner so your results meet all reporting requirements.
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Mine Site Reclamation and Closure Planning
As the production stage of your project comes to an end, SGS can support your closure needs. Our services at the closure and reclamation stage include:
- Mine site reclamation and closure plan
- Production of mine site reclamation programs, reconversion and closure plan
- Landscape analysis and inventory
- Ongoing acid drainage monitoring
- Residual water treatment
- Visual impact study
- Land development and landscape architecture
- Concept and design of waste dumps
- 3D animations (exploitation, progressive reclamation)
- Site works (management, field supervision, plantations and transplantations)
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Health & Safety Audits
Health and safety audits identify requirements under the appropriate national standard or regulation, determining compliance and promoting and identifying best practices within the workplace. A properly conducted health and safety audit by SGS will help you to:
- Gain insight into the health and safety policies that protect your employees
- Identify areas where health and safety practices are strong and worth retaining
- Identify problem areas that will require some action or possible elimination
- Make educated, well informed decisions regarding improvements to your health and safety policies
- Understand your organization’s legal obligations
- Reduce the risk of non-compliance with relevant health and safety workplace legislation
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Noise Control
SGS measures noise abatement and vibration in and around mines, factories, on and near construction sites, along flight paths and on road and rail routes. We determine the acoustic parameters and provide well-founded advice. Data is processed using three-dimensional calculation models and displayed as color charts. Our noise control expertise includes:
- Source identification and measurements including sustained simultaneous recordings
- Inspection and measurement of machinery noise
- Acoustic studies and environmental impact statements
- Industrial, rail and traffic noise model calculations
- Construction and hall acoustics studies and rehabilitation
- Creation and supervision of acoustic reduction plans
- Consultation regarding the acoustic insulation of materials and encasings
- Consultation for the application of construction materials and construction methods
- Vibration studies and the optimization of technical installations
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Stack Emissions Control
Emissions from mine sites must often satisfy certain environmental limits and concentrations. SGS conducts air measurements according to the highest quality standards. Our expertise includes:
- Determining of flue gas parameters (O2, CO, NxOy, SO2, CxHy, VOC, CO2)
- Calibration and certification of continuous on-line measuring equipment
- Measuring emissions of inorganic components (chlorine, HCl, HF, metal, acid vapors)
- Measuring emissions of organic components (dioxins, furans, solvents, PAH)
- Measuring emissions (air pollution at population level)
- Measuring dust particles (total dust and particle size distribution)
- Measuring moisture level, flow rate and temperature
- Calculating dispersion (according to various international models)
- Measuring odor
- Monitoring fugitive emissions
SGS also offers technical advice relating to emission-reducing techniques. Top
Climate Change Services
The SGS Climate Change Program offers a range of services that address the growing need for mandatory and voluntary reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. The objectives of the program are to facilitate trade in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promote the harmonization of markets. Our services can help with the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), a Joint Implementation (JI) or Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects. SGS is committed to ensure that GHG emissions and emission reductions are reported in a complete, clear and accurate manner.
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Data Handling Services
SGS has developed an on-demand or SaaS (Software as a Service) data management service offering that gives you unprecedented flexibility and control of not only your data, files and project documents, but also the system that manages the information.
From field sampling, to laboratory analysis, to document storage and retrieval and final reporting, you can process data quickly and efficiently with minimal manual intervention. This improves data quality and reduces data management costs.
Most cost breakdowns show that the cost of data collection, manipulation, evaluation and reporting will exceed 20% of the overall budget. Cost summaries of projects done using SGS’ web-based data management tools demonstrate that these costs can be reduced to as little as 10% of the overall budget. Additionally, implementation times are dramatically reduced compared to a typical design/build solution or an option built in-house using commercial off-the-shelf products due to:
- Elimination of the schedule and functionality uncertainties involved with design/build
- No hardware or software is needed, eliminating configuration and administration time
- Sharing of system resources across projects further reduces total cost of single system ownership
Training and technical support from experienced SGS professionals is included to minimize the learning curve and ensure our clients have the tools to be the best in the industry. |
