RESPEC Mining & Energy Quarterly Newsletter: March 2023

A message from RESPEC

Welcome to this edition of RESPEC’s newsletter.

This edition has several projects that demonstrate the breadth and depth of RESPEC’s Mining & Energy (M&E) group. However, if there are any subjects that you would like to see in future editions, please let us know.

To start with, I would like to acknowledge and congratulate our RESPEC employees who performed above and beyond on the Mosaic Company K1/K2 Shaft Decommissioning Project. On March 2, RESPEC was honored to accept the “Exceptional Engineering/Geoscience Project Award” from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Saskatchewan (APEGS). This shaft closure was the first of its kind in Saskatchewan and required engineers and geologists that were able to adapt as the project progressed; RESPEC is proud to have been that group of professionals. RESPEC’s Mining and Energy team provides support for all stages of the mining life cycle—from exploration to mine development, and operations to closure and reclamation.

Secondly, I would like to highlight recent changes in funding to address historic mine reclamation liabilities. Reclamation is an integral part of the mining life cycle and continues to be a key part of RESPEC’s services to the mining industry globally. RESPEC’s experience includes mine environmental and reclamation projects in Indonesia, environmental reviews in Peru, and reclamation designs throughout Europe. RESPEC has also completed Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO) analyses for companies.

Unfortunately, the mining industry in the US has not reclaimed all the mine sites after the mines closure. This situation not only creates environmental and social problems in the community affected by the mine but also tarnishes the mining industry’s reputation. For the coal sector, the bonding program that was introduced as part of the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) is intended to provide funding for sites permitted after 1977. The other part of SMCRA was Title IV, to address pre 1977 disturbances. The funding was provided by a fee on all coal mining.

Reclamation projects have been completed throughout the country by both State and Federal agencies to address these un-reclaimed mine sites, but the legacy remains for many States and Tribes, especially for water treatment, subsidence, and mine fires.

To address these issues, Congress passed a new funding source for the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) programs nationally in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). These funds are in addition to the annual grants, which are funded by the coal fees.

The BIL included a total allocation of $11.3 billion to be divided between the States and Tribes based on historical coal production. For example, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is predicted to receive approximately $3.8 billion during the 15-year life of the program, in addition to their annual grants, which have previously been about $26 million. For Pennsylvania, this is a tenfold increase in funding. Another important component of the program—the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines (STREAM) Act passed in 2022—allows up to 30 percent of the funding received under the BIL to be set aside for long-term Acid Mine Drainage treatment, thus providing a long-term funding mechanism after the 15-year BIL funding ends.

RESPEC has been involved in the AML program nationally for more than 30 years with major projects throughout the United States, including Kentucky, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. We are excited to continue support the State, Federal, and Tribal agencies because these BIL funds now allow the unfortunate reclamation legacies to be reclaimed.

John Morgan Senior Vice President

total annual AML funding from the bil law per the top 10 states

infrastructure solutions for mine sites

RESPEC’s M&E and Infrastructure (INF) teams began collaborating at the end of 2020, when Peak Gold Corporation issued a Request for Proposal for an infrastructure feasibility study. The proposed project included access roads; water management; facilities such as office buildings, warehouse, guard shack, fueling facilities; and power supply. Our INF team was familiar with each of these areas but had very little experience working for mining clients— so M&E and INF teamed up to submit a winning proposal. Since securing this project with Peak Gold, RESPEC has been involved in the feasibility study, as well as construction documents and on-site construction support.

Our M&E and INF teams could not have acquired this project on their own, proving that we are stronger together. The partnership between the two groups is successful because our M&E professionals and INF professionals are involved at various stages of the project.

» RESPEC’s M&E group is typically involved in the early stages of the mine development cycle, when mines tend to lean on our experts for resource geology, mining engineering, and resource and reserve statements. This team also provides expertise in geotechnical studies, drilling and blasting, mine optimization, project management, construction support, and reclamation planning.

» RESPEC’s INF group provides planning for infrastructure as well as the drawings and specifications that are needed for construction. Our team of multidiscipline engineers are attuned to producing bid documents that clients can use for advertising and selecting contractors. The construction may be for mining facilities, access, source water wells, utilities, and housing.

» RESPEC’s Water and Natural Resources group brings resources for water management (hydrology studies) and water treatment for the runoff that may pick up contaminants from the ore. They also provide reclamation design and planning for mine closure and remediation.

ACTIVE M&E/INF ProjectS

Manh Choh

Gold mine development near Tok, Alaska RESPEC provided a feasibility study for the infrastructure to support the mining operations. We are currently providing construction documents and on-site inspection for the construction of roads, personnel camp, and facilities.

Anglo Gold Ashanti

Gold mine development in Nevada RESPEC provided a prefeasibility study and maintenance workshop design.

Pogo

Operational gold mine near Delta, Alaska RESPEC has provided dormitory facilities construction documents, water and sewer system expansions, and water treatment and storage system upgrades. We are currently assessing Pogo’s overall water treatment systems and assessing the possibility of combining their two separate facilities into one.

Lost River

Tin mine exploration near Nome, Alaska RESPEC managed data—dating back to the 1940s—through GeoSequel and GIS support and built 3D models through ArcGIS and MinePlan. We also completed ground and aerial surveys. RESPEC continues to provide modeling and data management to the client.

Graphite Creek

Graphite mine exploration near Nome, Alaska RESPEC provided services for design and permitting the potable water well, treatment, and distribution system for the 66-person camp.

Ross Adams

Uranium mine reclamation near Juneau, Alaska RESPEC is analyzing the access road to determine upgrades necessary to get equipment into the mine to reclaim the site.

respec’s INFRASTRUCTURE solutions for THE MINE LIFE CYCLE

» Access Roads (Layouts/Routing/Permitting exploration finding & defining deposits

» Exploration Camps

MINE DEVELOPMENT PLANNING & BUILDING

» Construction Documents for Access Roads, Facilities, Water Management, and Personnel Camps

OPERATIONS

EXTRACTING & OPTIMIZING

» Facilities Assessment

» Facilities Expansion Planning and Engineering

» Permitting for Water Management and Sanitation Facilities

» Construction Documents and Permitting

» Density Testing and Sampling

& Reclamation

Restoring & maintaining

For detailed information, please contact RESPEC’s Karen Brady, Infrastructure Vice President, Karen.Brady@respec.com

» Access Road Improvements

» Water Management Closure

» Site Regrades (Geomorphic Contouring)

improve blast performance with borehole surveys

Do you want to decrease the potential for fly rock or unintended rock movement during blasting? Are you interested in improving blast fragmentation? Would decreasing the variability in floor elevations help your site?

All these concerns can be addressed through accurate borehole drilling and verification of the actual design compared to the initial design. Consider this: you design a pattern, you drill it, you blast it; but because things do not always perform as planned, you still notice issues with the blast performance. What is causing this? Do these issues indicate that the design is not working, or is there another cause? An easy solution for addressing concerns and determining the root cause related to blast performance issues is through a simple audit to ensure blast patterns are drilled within the tolerances of their design. Boreholes drilled incorrectly can lead to serious consequences in safety and production. Larger material can cause crushing systems to work harder. Flyrock and unintended rock movement can damage nearby structures or equipment. Uneven floors can cause additional work for bench preparation and impact the quality and performance of subsequent blasts. All these consequences have the potential to indirectly lead to an increase in the overall operating costs, which can be minor in some cases but are often more than you might think.

When optimizing a blast, the RESPEC team recommends and performs borehole surveys to confirm the blast pattern is drilled according to the initial design. As the U.S. distributor for all Carlson LMD equipment, our team uses the Carlson Boretrak2 borehole survey tool to understand the borehole deviation and orientation. This tool incorporates an internal gyro compass to take directional measurements throughout a borehole. The initial azimuth of the Boretrak2 when it is calibrated is all that is required for deployment, which can be in any direction—downhole, uphole, horizontally, or 360 degrees. As the tool is deployed, readings are taken at incremental measurements through the borehole, creating a survey string

file that is saved in the tool’s internal memory. When the tool is retrieved from the borehole, the survey string file automatically downloads to an operating device via Bluetooth and the tool is then ready to survey the next hole.

When all boreholes have been surveyed, the data can be reviewed locally on the operating device or transferred to an office computer and imported into blast optimization software. Our team can then reevaluate the asdrilled pattern and adjust the loading of the blast pattern if necessary.

When reviewing the data, our team looks for the borehole distance to the face, toe location, orientation and location relative to adjacent boreholes, and depth. This quick and simple audit helps the RESPEC team support safe and optimized blasting.

Your team can easily implement the Carlson Boretrak2 at your site too! For additional questions on borehole surveying and blast optimization equipment and services, reach out to one of our team members.

For detailed information, please contact RESPEC’s Tyler Artz, Instrumentation Specialist, Tyler.Artz@respec.com

going beyond traditional mapping

As a consultant for one of the leading building materials businesses in the world, RESPEC has been providing aboveground and underground perspectives for displaying the qualities of their unmined resources. RESPEC consults for the company on multiple quarry planning and design projects in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

RESPEC’s services include creation of block model visualizations that can unlock further understanding of mine reserves beyond traditional 2D-only map views. During the process, we use ArcGIS Pro’s 3D Analyst to provide a threedimensional (3D) isometric perspective of their quarries, which effectively and simultaneously shows the underground data and the aboveground surface. We use the Slice feature, among other 3D tools, which dynamically cuts through the mapping information at any angle, width, elevation, or location, and can be dynamically sliced in any direction.

The underground 3D information begins as GIS points that contain the resource chemistry, quality, and bench elevation attributes. Through an automated process developed by RESPEC, the GIS points are converted to 3D blocks and placed at the provided bench elevation and color coded by quality, giving a unique perspective that 2D maps cannot achieve.

RESPEC publishes the mapping on ArcGIS Online for the client, where they can also use the Slice tool.

For detailed information, please contact RESPEC’s Brady Johnson, GIS Analyst, Brady.Johnson@respec.com

RESPEC’s extensive GIS team consists of over 150 individuals with a range of GIS capabilities. Our GIS experts support all RESPEC market sectors and ensure that our clients’ mapping and data needs are not just met but exceed expectations.

Watch the APEGS Project Award Video here.

Read more about the APEGS Awards here.

POTASH DECOMMISSIONING PROJECT WINS APEGS AWARD

Saskatchewan has a robust potash industry, with deposits that have maintained mine lives of more than 100 years. The Mosaic K1 and K2 potash mines opened nearly 60 years ago and are situated within complex hydrogeology conditions. These mines have been coping with mine inflow challenges since late 1985. As a result, Mosaic decided to close the mine shaft on June 4, 2021, because of accelerated brine inflows.

RESPEC was part of the team selected to work on the abandonment of the shaft. The complex hydrogeology that surrounds the shaft resulted in unique conditions that needed to be accounted for in the decommissioning project. RESPEC conducted geomechanical and hydrogeological modelling to aid in the design. RESPEC also consulted with subcontractors on the concrete mixture design for the shaft plug system, interface grouting between the existing liner and plug system, grouting of the surrounding geological formation, and backfill design from shaft plug to surface. The design included developing the QA/QC programs, preconstruction activities, site inspections, and the shaft plug implementation with the mining construction contractor. In conjunction with Mosaic, RESPEC has developed long-term monitoring plans for tracking and assessing the implemented design functions as expected.

In late 2022, Jay Nopola, Senior Vice President of RESPEC, was informed that RESPEC’s engineering team was receiving the Exceptional Engineering/ Geoscience Project Award by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS). On March 2, 2023, Jay accompanied several members of RESPEC’s Saskatchewan office to the APEGS Awards Gala in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to accept this award.

Jay comments, “This project has been exciting on several levels and is a true accomplishment in engineering and geoscience work. To put it briefly, this is the first fully designed and engineering decommissioning of a potash mine in the province and was performed on the first successful potash shaft constructed in the province roughly 60 years ago. A significant factor that was driving many of the design requirements in this project was the complex hydrogeology of the mine system. Our team had to adapt quickly to changing circumstances but, ultimately, our efforts paid off. The long-term safety of the public and the environment was of paramount importance in designing the shaft decommissioning, as we needed to ensure isolation of mine waters from nearby surface waters. While this was the first project of its kind in Saskatchewan, the robust design approach will set the benchmark for all future similar salt and potash shaft decommissioning projects.”

Jay further states, “I would also like to thank our team that spent numerous hours, including weekends, to get this project finished. This project required our staff to be on call 24 hours a day for the duration of the project to ensure strict QA/QC protocols were met and to minimize the financial impacts to the budget and schedule.”

For detailed information, please contact RESPEC’s Jay Nopola, Senior Vice President, Jay.Nopola@respec.com

mine shaft inspection safety

Mine shafts are an essential part of infrastructure for the mine. Mine shafts allow workers to safely access and efficiently extract resources from underground workings. Shaft inspection and maintenance are crucial for mining operations; a lack thereof can lead to costly shutdowns and serious accidents.

During mine shaft inspection, the following site-specific safety procedures and policies must be implemented to avoid accidents:

» Wear appropriate PPE such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, gloves, and safety glasses, and use tethers to prevent tools from dropping down the shaft.

» Confirm that required training to work at heights and use fall arrest systems is up to date.

» Establish a detailed rescue plan to ensure an efficient process is in place for responding to fall incidents. Without a rescue plan, a worker who has fallen may be suspended from the fall arrest system for an extended period, increasing the risk of injury or death.

In addition to having the proper equipment and training to conduct the mine inspection, communication with the hoist man must be available and easily accessible. Communication with the hoist man to stop/move the conveyance is usually conducted using bells with a radio backup in case of bell system failure. The inspection should always be conducted with site personnel familiar with the specific mine shaft systems. Before an inspection, a clear emergency plan and emergency contacts should be established.

Shaft inspection is most often conducted on the top of the skips or man decks, which expose the workers to falling objects from above; therefore, it is critical to have temporary/ permanent falling objects protection installed before the mine inspection.

The safety of workers is the top priority when it comes to any activity in the mine. By establishing clear protocols, having proper training and PPE, and prioritizing communication and collaboration, mining companies can ensure accident prevention and the safety of individuals conducting the mine inspections.

For detailed information, please contact RESPEC’s Nathan Morgan, Project Geologist, Nathan.Morgan@respec.com

small but simple adjustments for worker comfort

Miner health and safety is paramount to the success of operations. Setups and standards vary from site to site and RESPEC recommends soliciting ideas from the labor force at each site regarding increased convenience or quality-of-life improvements. Worker discomfort or poor ergonomics may inadvertently be a contributing factor that leads to an injury. Consider the following adjustments:

» Upgrading or installing boot wash stations in a designated area with seating to minimize slips, trips, and falls caused by slippery conditions.

» Ensure PPE properly fits your employees and is in good condition. Damaged face shields or wornout gear should be replaced promptly.

» Alerting miners of an evacuation situation with lighting signals rather than stench gas because some people did not recover their sense of smell after having COVID-19.

» Installing ventilation heating units can increase worker comfort with climate controls.

For detailed information, please contact RESPEC’s Carolyn McCannon,

Even small changes to increase worker comfort can have an impact on minimizing hazards or ergonomic issues.

Manager, Construction Materials Carolyn.McCannon@respec.com

welcome to our winter 2022/2023 hires

Ben Haugen

Hard

Rock/Geotechnical Manager

Rapid City, SD

“It’s wonderful to be back with the RESPEC family. I am proud of all that the team has accomplished in the last two years and am excited to continue helping our hard-rock geotechnical program grow. In my new role, I will be managing our surface and underground geotechnical engineering staff that are focused on mechanical mining for metals, limestone, and other non-salt commodities.”

Nomin Choibat

Lexington, KY

Atena Amirsoleimani

Lexington, KY

Ben Haugen Rapid City, SD

Thomas Trautman

Rapid City, SD

Dr. Atena Amirsoleimani Engineer

Lexington, KY

“Dr. Atena Amirsoleimani has recently joined the RESPEC’s Lexington, Kentucky office and will be working with the Reclamation program. She received her PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky. Atena has a variety of experiences, with multiple years of research and strong knowledge in the Environmental field. I am so excited to have her on my team! “

- Whitney Faulkner

Al Spradlin

Lexington, KY

Denise Yemma Laconia, NH

Camilo Rojas Grand Junction, CO

Allie Gregor Rapid City, SD

respec’s latest presentation slides

View All RESPEC Presentations on RESPEC.com

Application

and Practice

Application of a Tech Innovation Model for the Mine of the Future: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

Presented by Jesus Castillo Gomez SME Conference, March 2023

Jesus.CastilloGomez@respec.com

SME 2023

Importance of Blast Vibration Analysis, Prediction, and Optimization as Illustrated through Case Studies

Stay

The Importance of Blast Vibration Analysis

Presented by Daykin Schnelli SME Conference, March 2023

Daykin.Schnell@respec.com

Presented by Edmundo Laporte SME Conference, March 2023

Edmundo.Laporte@respec.com

of a Tech Innovation Model for the Mine of the Future: Bridging the Gap Between Theory

A. Xenaki, A. Nieto, E. Laporte, J. Castillo Gomez and O. Velasquez; RESPEC and FLSmidth

let’s connect (or reconnect)

RESPEC looks forward to meeting up with our clients and future clients at upcoming conferences in 2023. We urge our employees to be involved and to present on important and relevant topics that the industry will find interesting.

Subscribe to our LinkedInpage and connect with your personal contacts to see what conferences our team will be attending and presentations they will be involved in.

april—june 2023 conference schedule

apr 19—21

apr 23—27

Apr 23—26

Apr

may 2—3

jun 13—15