Mining Sites Litigation Support

Mining Sites

Expert Services & Litigation Support

Client’s Challenge

An insurance company engaged Aries to provide litigation-focused technical support for the closure of mines in the southwestern United States. Our work involved evaluating mining practices that had caused contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water.

Aries Evaluation

Groundwater impacts were primarily the result of precipitation infiltrating sulfide-bearing rock exposed during mining activities. This contact generated sulfuric acid, which in turn leached metals from the surrounding rock. The mobilized metals subsequently migrated into groundwater and nearby surface waters. In addition, tailings ponds containing processed ore waste produced wastewater that further degraded both groundwater and surface water quality. Smelting operations at the sites also contributed to contamination including slag waste, released metal-laden air emissions, and acid blowdown, discharged directly to surface waters.

Aries Solution

Aries comprehensive assessments and findings of each mine’s excavation, ore concentration, and smelting operations, were outlined in a detailed report documenting the environmental impacts on underlying groundwater and adjacent surface waters. We evaluated appropriate mine tailings closure strategies and developed detailed closure budget estimates for each site, incorporating a review of applicable Administrative Orders on Consent as well as relevant state and federal regulatory requirements. To assist the insurance company, Aries’ professionals analyzed and classified the mine closure expenses. We provided photographic documentation with our findings to clearly illustrate the observed site areas, requiring remediation. We were able to provide reasonableness and necessity of the proposed mine closure costs. Our analysis benefitted both the mining company and the insurer, leading to the resolution of a complex claim.