Environmental
FENDER HAS A RANGE OF GEOPHYSICAL TECHNIQUES FOR UNDERSTANDING THE DISTRIBUTION OF DEBRIS, SOIL AND ROCKS IN THE SHALLOW SUBSURFACE.
Contaminants can be transported through shallow rock and soil. Knowledge of the pathways can assist with identification of problem areas and their remediation. These pathways can be mapped in detail using geophysics and provide improved insights into contaminant distribution and transport and the application of appropriate remediation methods.
Mapping heavy metal contaminants
Fender can map heavy metal contaminants in the field—without the need for laboratory analyses—using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Laboratory analysis of heavy metal contaminants can be costly and slow. With pXRF, sites are assessed rapidly, and far fewer samples are required to be sent to the lab.
Understanding contaminant transport in the subsurface requires knowledge of soil and rock characteristics and their extent. Mapping soil characteristics in 3D using geophysics aids in understanding contaminant transport pathways leading to appropriate remediation measures and accurately located monitoring bores.
Managing tailings dams and acid rock drainage
Managing seepage is a critical tailings dam task because excessive seepage can cause dam failure. Dam failure may result in environmental, human health and economic impacts on the surrounding area. Geophysics is generally non-invasive and can provide detailed imagery of the subsurface to help understand the condition of tailings dams and provide evidence of seepage. Fender provides baseline and ongoing surveys of tailings dams to detect seepage and changes in seepage over time. This significantly improves the safety of tailings dams.
Geophysics can provide imaging of shallow soils and rocks to assess the transport of acidic water from acid rock drainage (ARD) sites. ARD is the outflow of acidic water from mining operations including waste rock, tailings, and exposed surfaces in open pits and underground workings. Understanding transport of ARD in the subsurface assists with the development and implementation of appropriate remediation measures.
