Mining-focused environmental geochemistry testing
Our expertise lies in the characterisation of acid rock drainage and metals-leaching potential of mining waste.
We work from our UK-based laboratory facility in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Blaenavon, located within the historic mining district and industrial landscape of the South Wales Coalfield.
Services
Our test schedule includes the following industry-standard static and kinetic tests. We also cater for any adaptations, R&D ideas and bespoke requirements that you might have. We offer kinetic testing, water tests, water and leachate analysis, and solid sample preparation.
Kinetic tests
- Humidity cell testing (ASTM D 5744-18 and MEND 1.20.1 defined methods)
- Up-flow Percolation test (European standard EN 14405:2017)
- Monolithic Leaching tests (European standard EN 15863:2015)
- Down-flow Percolation test
- Bespoke column testing procedures various scales and techniques used
- Tailings dry stack simulation testing
Static tests
- Carbon and sulfur speciation
- Inorganic Carbon analysis
- Mineralogical characterisation through skilled partners
- Static leaching tests such as European standard EN 12457 1-4 methods together with US SPLP, MWLP and MEND
- Net Acid Generation (NAG), single addition, kinetic, sequential, multi addition and liquor analysis.
- Acid Buffering Characterisation Curve and liquor analysis
- Neutralisation Potential (NP) tests including European standard (EN 15875:2011), Sobek and modified Sobek
- Paste and rinse pH and Ec
- pH dependent leach test (European standard EN 14429:2015)
- Sequential extractions
- Oxygen consumption testing (WTW Oxi-top)
- Carbon sequestration analysis and Carbon dioxide consumption testing
- Treatability testing
Water and leachate analysis
- Total suspended solids
- Ion chromatography
- Dissolved inorganic carbon and non purgeable organic carbon
- Elemental analysis
- Alkalinity, acidity pH EC
- Liquid sample preparation
Solid sample preparation
- Sample receipt and preparation (logging, drying, screening, crushing, splitting, milling, sieving)
Header image photo by Paul-Alain Hunt on Unsplash