Terra Mentis Environmental Consulting
Mining and Metals
International Work
Metal is mined throughout the world and Terra Mentis has worked on a number of international mines with a range of wastes.
European Bank Consortium, Bia Mare, Romania: Part of a five-member international team of experts sent to Romania to investigate the causes and potential adverse effects from a cyanide release at a gold recovery operation. The release was one of the largest in Europe and had environmental impacts through Romania, Hungary, and into the Black Sea.
- Investigated the scope of human health and environmental impact due to free and metal-complexed cyanide
- Evaluated groundwater, surface water, and fish tissue data to determine potential chemical concentrations and potential ecological and human health effects with time and distance from the spill
Chuquicamata Anaconda Copper Mine, Northern Chile: The largest copper mine in Chile and until recently, the largest and most productive copper mine in the world. The mine itself contains an open pit that is over seven miles long, a smelter and a refinery.
- Presented a lecture on arsenic toxicology to children regulatory officials and industrial managers that included discussion of uptake and distribution effects
- Conducted a site visit at the Anaconda Copper Mine
National Superfund Sites
Metals and mining throughout the Western U.S. have led to extensive release of metal wastes into the environment-metal wastes that affect human health typically include lead, arsenic, chromium, and cadmium. Metals that impact ecological species are typically copper, zinc, lead, and chromium.
ARCO Milltown Superfund Sediment Site, Milltown, MT: A multi-million-dollar site investigation, risk cleanup, and feasibility study for a National Priorities list site in Montana. The process was a unique committee-driven risk assessment process for the site with significant public involvement and risk communication. Chemicals of concern included arsenic, lead, cadmium, copper and zinc.
- Served as Project Manager and director of risk assessment activities
- Developed site-specific sampling programs that included a river, a reservoir, soil and sediments, domestic residences and gardens, and human biological samples
- Prepared Work Plans, Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAPs), in addition to risk assessment and remedial investigation reports
- Conducted extensive negotiations with the U.S. EPA and the Montana
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, and conducted extensive public presentation work
Clark Fork River Superfund Site, ARCO Remediation, Anaconda, MT:Part of a consulting panel providing expertise on risk assessment-related issues. The process was a unique committee-driven risk assessment process for the site with significant public involvement and risk communication.
- Sampling and analysis plans, data formulation and analysis, work plans for risk assessment, and consistent report preparation
- Assessment of mine tailings and mine related waste, such as bioavailability, chemical speciation, chemical migration, data evaluation, and health effects
California Gulch Superfund Site, Confidential Client, CO:Consulted during litigation on the California Gulch Superfund site.
- The use of IBK (lead) modeling and evaluations of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and zinc contamination in soil and streambeds
- Provided expert review for a potentially respomsible and confidential party