M&A provides a range of characterization and modeling services to support an EIS for mining one of the world’s most promising molybdenum deposits.
Client: General Moly, Inc.- Time frame: 2005–2010
- Location: Eureka County, Nevada
The proposed Mount Hope project — a General Moly primary development interest located on BLM land in northern Nevada — targets one of the largest, highest-grade, undeveloped molybdenum deposits in the world. M&A provided hydrogeologic services to support an EIS for the site. Specifically, we characterizing the fractured-rock hydrogeology of the planned pit area and developed a numerical model to project groundwater inflows to the pit under mining and post-closure conditions. The results were coupled with other data to project the regional effects of the proposed mining operations.
M&A led field activities in the vicinity of the proposed mine facilities and open pit. We designed and implemented a well drilling / testing program to obtain the data needed to characterize flow within the fractured-rock aquifer.
In addition, we established a water level data collection and transfer system that enabled us to analyze the data in real time and communicate efficiently with the client. M&A also designed and implemented a monitoring program.
M&A developed a three-dimensional groundwater flow model and used it to...
- Identify pit-dewatering requirements
- Predict local and regional groundwater levels both during and after mining operations
- Create a water balance for the pit lake
- Assess whether the future pit lake will remain a passive hydraulic sink
Our model was coupled with a regional model to project the impact of the proposed mine on groundwater conditions in nearby basins.
At the conclusion of the multi-phase modeling work, we prepared a comprehensive report that met the rigorous requirements of the EIS approval process. M&A also provided technical support services during the regulatory review process. This work included preparing hydrogeologic reports, transmitting data, and responding to comments from the BLM.
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