Mining

Eurofins Environment Testing Supports Regulatory Compliance for Discharge Waters

Under the The Clean Water Act (CWA), EPA implemented wastewater standards for industry and water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters. EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulates point sources that discharge pollutants to bodies of water. Permits are issued for industrial wastewater, municipal wastewater and storm water. A state may receive authorization for one or more of the NPDES program components, and if EPA approves the state program, the state assumes permitting authority.

Effluent limitations are the primary mechanism in NPDES permits for controlling discharges to receiving waters. Discharge limits are based on both the technology available to control the pollutants and limits that are protective of the water quality standards of the receiving water.

Mine sites often channel run off water and stormwater into point source discharges, and will obtain NPDES permits to ensure compliance with water quality standards that do not exceed the effluent limitation guidelines established for the industry.

Eurofins Environment Testing's Compliance Monitoring Program

Eurofins Environment Testing’s approach to discharge monitoring includes services such as sampling support, courier services, laboratory analyses and customized data delivery options. Experienced project management professionals work with you to implement testing methods that meet the requirements of your specific discharge permit. Test methods typically include routine EPA parameters such as metals, TSS, turbidity, hardness, pH, cyanide, BOD, oil and grease and others.

Things to Discuss with Eurofins Environment Testing:

• What type and size of bottle is needed for each test?
• How full do I fill the bottle?
• What is the best way to preserve samples?
• What kind of labels will be supplied?
• What are the maximum holding times for each water quality parameter to be sampled?
• Will the lab provide pH paper? Samples need to be tested for pH within 15 minutes of collection to be valid, typically in the field.
• Is the quantitation limit for each parameter less than the effluent limitation concentration?

Sampling Support

• Eurofins Environment Testing provides coolers, packing material, certified pre-cleaned bottles with applicable preservatives, and pre-printed chains of custody. Our bottle kits reduce the potential for error in the field by providing the correct containers with the applicable preservatives and paperwork based upon the analyses outlined in the permit. Many Eurofins Environment Testing laboratories also provide field sampling services.

Laboratory Analysis

• Samples received at the laboratory are logged into our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) based on the information provided on the Chain of Custody. Sample receipt confirmation forms detailing sample collection information and requested analyses are sent to client contacts after receipt to reduce error potential, and ensure proactive communication with clients.

Reports and Data Delivery

• Eurofins Environment Testing’s network of laboratories is linked by a single LIMS, allowing Eurofins Environment Testing to provide clients with one easy to read report and electronic data deliverable (EDD), regardless of where samples are analyzed in our network of laboratories. Clients have the option to receive their data in one of more than 2,500 formats, as well as via our online data portal, MyEOL.

Eurofins Environment Testing Provides Baseline Through Post-Closure Groundwater Monitoring Services

Groundwater at mining sites is often monitored before, during, and after closure to assess the effects of the mining operation on the environment. Groundwater quality may be affected by the mine excavation itself, the storage and disposal of mining wastes, wastewater and stormwater discharges and the storage and handling of chemicals, reagents, and fuels. Eurofins Environment Testing partners with mining clients performing baseline, operational and post closure groundwater monitoring by offering services such as sampling support, laboratory analyses and customized data delivery options to meet the regulatory needs of each operation.

• Sampling Support
  • Eurofins Environment Testing provides coolers, packing material, certified pre-cleaned bottles with applicable preservatives, and pre-printed chains of custody. Our bottle kits reduce the potential for field errors by providing the correct containers with the applicable preservatives and paperwork.
• Laboratory Analysis
  • Samples are logged into our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) based on the information provided on the Chain of Custody. Sample receipt confirmation forms detailing sample collection information and requested analyses are sent to client contacts after receipt to reduce error potential, and ensure proactive communication.
• Data Delivery
  • Eurofins Environment Testing’s network of laboratories is linked by a single LIMS, allowing us to provide clients with one report or electronic data deliverable (EDD), regardless of where samples are analyzed within our network. Our single platform also allows our analysts to perform historical data review and comparisons to background levels to identify data anomalies. Clients have the option to receive their data in one of our 2,500 formats, as well as via MyEOL, our online data portal.

Groundwater Monitoring for Radioactive Constituents

NORM and TENORM

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) are found everywhere. Baseline groundwater monitoring studies help mining companies evaluate the extent and concentration of NORM at their operating sites. When NORM is used for commercial purposes such as mining, and its radioactivity content is modified, it is classified as a Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM). These materials are often regulated because they result in a radioactive concentration that is higher than the original NORM.

Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailings

On January 26, 2015, EPA proposed new ground water protection standards at facilities that extract uranium using in-situ recovery (ISR). The EPA expects to finalize the rule by December of 2016. Eurofins Environment Testing supports current and proposed rules for the monitoring of radioactive constituents at Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailing mines.

In the ISR process, oxidizing chemical solutions are pumped through injection wells into the ore body where the uranium is solubilized. The uranium-rich solutions are pumped to the surface through extraction wells, then piped or transported to a processing plant where the uranium is recovered and further processed prior to shipment.

Currently, facilities are required to monitor groundwater conditions for less than 2 years after restoration. There is a potential for uranium and other constituents to remobilize over time, with the potential for groundwater contamination. EPA proposed to establish additional monitoring requirements during all phases of an ISR facility. Under current requirements, ISR operators must monitor groundwater to assess pre-operational baseline conditions, facility operations, and during groundwater restoration and stability monitoring. The proposed rule will modify the current monitoring requirements to more fully establish baseline conditions, demonstrate restoration, and to demonstrate that the restored water quality is stable.

How Can Eurofins Environment Testing Help?

Eurofins Environment Testing supports the analysis of the 13 constituents for which groundwater protection standards have been proposed: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, silver, nitrate (as N), molybdenum, combined radium-226 and radium-228, uranium (total), and gross alpha-particle activity (excluding radon and uranium).

Eurofins Environment Testing also provides a full suite of NORM and TENORM radiochemistry testing services to the Mining industry. We provide a variety of analytical options for the determination of radioactive constituents in groundwater as well as wastewater, soil and solid waste. With more than 30 years of radiochemistry testing expertise, Eurofins Environment Testing provides full service radiochemistry testing support for mining operations throughout the United States. Our team of experts assists in determining the best technical approach to meet your program’s data needs.

Analytical Methods and Options for water and solid samples: