| Project History
Consulting, Engineering and Construction Management
|  Underground Mine Safety Services - Horse Draw Mine
Client: Shell Oil Exploration
Location: United States
MES has been engaged to conduct underground reconnaissance,
safety evaluation and remedial actions, and safety
oversight for an underground geologic study and core
removal program at this inactive oil shale mine.
The project involves restoration of infrastructure and
exploration and rehabilitation of a 2300 foot deep steel-
lined vertical shaft, and establishment of safe working
conditions for research scientists on 4 horizontal levels
of this former US Bureau of Mines research facility.
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| Water Tunnel Evaluations
Client: Shannon and Wilson, Inc. for Colorado Springs Utilities
Location: Colorado Springs, United States
For 2008, MES has been retained to assist Shannon and
Wilson with tunnel inspections and make repair
recommendations and cost estimates for numerous water
tunnels owned by the utility.
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|  Water Tunnel Remediation Study - Shoshone Hydro Tunnel
Client: GEI Consultants, Inc. for Xcel Energy
Location: Colorado, United States
MES has been retained to assist in the evaluation of
remedial alternatives for this underground hydroelectric
tunnel. Work to date has included a report identifying
necessary additional investigative requirements, as well as
potential repair alternatives and methods to improve access
for repairs.
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| Gold King Mine - Planning & Regulatory Assistance
Client: Colorado Goldfields, Inc.
Location: Colorado, United States
MES is performing project support work, which to date has
included cost estimating for mine portal replacement and
rehabilitation, review of contractor bid proposals,
preparation of a health and safety plan, and assistance to
client and legal counsel in regulatory negotiations with
the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado
Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety.
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| Northfield Mine - Underground Coal Mine Planning
Client: Commonwealth Coal
Location: Florence, CO, United States
Ongoing – beginning in 2007, MES has been retained to
provide mine planning services related to the design,
costing, and construction of this planned room and pillar
coal mine, located near Florence, Colorado.
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| Ovoot Tologoi - Underground Coal Mine Plan Evaluation
Client: Marston & Marston, for Sojitz
Location: Mongolia
In 2008, MES was retained by Marston to perform a peer
review of preliminary mine plans, methods and expected
costs for the hydraulic mining of steeply pitching thick
coal deposits at this site.
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| Pumpkin Hollow Project - Mine Development Cost Review
Client: Tetra Tech, Inc.
Location: Nevada, United States
MES was retained in 2008 to perform a rapid independent
review of planned development cost, equipment, and labor
requirements for this major underground copper project.
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| Sutter Creek Mine - Mine Acquisition Evaluation
Client: Gryphon Gold
Location: California, United States
MES was retained in 2008 as part of a consulting team to
Gryphon to evaluate the potential acquisition of Sutter
Gold Mining, Inc.
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| Borealis Property - Exploration Alternatives Evaluation
Client: Gryphon Gold
Location: Hawthorne, Nevada, United States
MES was retained in 2008 to assist Gryphon in determining
exploration drilling priorities for the “Graben Deposit”.
In connection with this effort, MES developed preliminary
plans and detailed cost estimates for exploration decline
and drill station alternatives.
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| Uranium Mill Tailings Reclamation Project - Independent Safety Review
Client: Legin Group, Inc., for US Department of Energy
Location: Moab, Utah, United States
In 2007, MES was retained to provide a peer review of the
environmental and safety aspects of a large (est. $800
Million) scope mine reclamation project, located near Moab,
Utah. This included construction safety, geotechnical
issues related to slope stability, and stormwater drainage
and sediment control issues. MES retained Yeh and
Associates as a geotechnical subconsultant, and EME
Solutions, Inc. as subconsultant to perform review of civil
engineering and drainage issues.
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| Cripple Creek - Mine Structures Evaluation
Client: Anglogold Ashanti, N.A.
Location: Colorado, United States
In 2007, we were asked to assist Anglogold with the
evaluation of possible blast effects on historic headframe
structures at several locations, in connection with a
planned pit expansion
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| Mining District Evaluation & Marketing
Client: Private
Location: Colorado, United States
In 2007, MES was retained through Marston and Marston, Inc.
to assist with the evaluation and marketing of a large
mineral land position. MES participated with Marston and
the client in marketing negotiations, resulting in a
successful JV agreement for the client with Hecla Mining,
Inc.
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| Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station - UG Hoisting System Design
Client: Keys & Associates, for US Air Force
Location: Colorado, United States
In 2007, MES was contracted to perform a final design for a
new hoisting system above the main combat operations
command center building. This design involved specifying
methods for safe rock excavation and re-support of the
tunnel roof above the commend center, while protecting all
existing utilities and structures below and nearby. MES
utilized Deere and Ault, Inc. as geotechnical
subconsultants, and worked in association with Anderson and
Hastings, Inc. for structural engineering.
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| Operable Unit 4, Gregory Incline - Mine Drainage Routing Alternatives Study
Client: IFE for, Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment
Location: Colorado, United States
In 2007, MES teamed with IFE to provide a study of
underground conveyance options for mine pool water from the
Gregory Incline and alluvial groundwater into the Bates-
Hunter Mine for treatment at the existing Water Treatment
Plant. This work is presently ongoing.
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| Mine Operational Review
Client: Private
Location: United States
In 2007, MES was asked to evaluate operational issues and
practices related to the operation of a fly-in mine at a
remote site in the far north, at the point of a change of
control from owner management to contractor management.
This review included problems affecting production rate,
tailings disposal, explosives inventory control, mine
planning, environmental matters, and other operations
issues. MES provided an opinion regarding these matters to
the incoming management contractor and the mine owner.
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| Climax Mine - Mine Restart Feasibility Study
Client: Smith-Williams, Inc. for Phelps-Dodge
Location: Leadville, Colorado, United States
In 2007, MES was retained through Smith-Williams to assist
Freeport with portions of a Feasibility Study related to
the restart of operations at this historic world-class
molybdenum mine.
MES work scope involved geotechnical evaluation and cost
estimation for tunnel rehabilitation or abandonment
options, and the development of a detailed log and quantity
take-offs for the tunnel remediation. MES utilized Dr.
John F. Abel, PE, as a reviewing sub-consultant for this
work.
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|  Foley Mine - Mine Rehabilitation Technical Support
Client: QGold Resources, Inc.
Location: St. Francis, Ontario, Canada
In 2007, we were engaged by the CEO of QGold to provide
technical support in evaluating options for rehabilitation
of the Foley Mine shaft and underground workings for
geologic sampling, contractor oversight, and also
examination of existing milling facilities. This work
includes coordination with the exploration team, senior
management, and local consultants.
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| Rico Mining District - Mine Site Subsidence & Environmental Evaluations
Client: Walsh Environmental, for Realm Realty
Location: Rico, Colorado, United States
In 2006, MES was retained to conduct an extensive
evaluation of mine subsidence and environmental issues
related to the conversion of numerous mining claims in this
historic mining district into approximately 350 premium
building sites. Work included mine map and report review,
GIS, GPS, field work, in conjunction with Dr. John Abel,
Walsh, and Stone Catalyst personnel.
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| Mina la Guitarra & Mina de Agua
Client: Genco Resources, Ltd.
Location: Mexico
In 2006, MES was retained to examine ongoing production
operations at the company’s properties and make
recommendations to the CFO/COO regarding mining and
development methods and equipment, including Alimak raise
development, and surface slot cutting of low grade areas
adjacent to previously mined high-grade vein zones.
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| Big 5 Tunnel - Tunnel Rehabilitation Technical Study
Client: Walsh Environmental for, Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment
Location: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
In 2006, as an add-on to earlier work in support of the
Captain Jack RI/FS, MES was retained to assess the Big 5
Tunnel and develop a workplan and cost estimates for tunnel
rehabilitation and bulkheading.
MES was the project lead for the workplan. Supporting
sections included a geotechnical evaluation and ground
control plan for tunnel (by Deere and Ault), designs for
surface water impoundments (by Gustavson & Associates and
Walsh Environmental) and a work plan and cost estimates by
MES.
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| Gold Road Mine - Mining Cost Review & Prefeasibility
Client: Addwest Minerals, Inc.
Location: Oatman, Arizona, United States
MES conducted a cost review of mining costs from the 1997
and 1998 time periods and a cost update to 2006 in order to
estimate present cutoff grade, using the actual mine chart
of accounts to apportion costs to the site-specific
operational conditions. Later phases included a restart
plan and capital cost estimate for several exploration and
production scenarios.
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| Mine Property Research
Client: Private
Location: United States
MES has been retained by several clients in the 2006-07
period to assist in mineral property acquisition targeting
precious, base metals, and uranium resources. This work
typically includes research of the historic production
records, maps, geology, property title, etc. Some of these
assignments are ongoing.
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| Dew Drop Mine - Underground Mine Hydrologic Reconnaissance
Client: URS Operating Services, for US Environmental Protection Agency
Location: Ward, CO, United States
In 2006, MES was issued a task order to develop a mine
entry safety plan and lead a mixed team of government
employees and consultants to perform an underground mine
reconnaissance at the Dew Drop Mine.
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| Cash Mine - Mine Permit Application, Technical Support
Client: Mt. Royale Ventures
Location: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
In 2006, MES was retained to provide technical assistance
to support a mine permit Amendment application, as well as
several follow-on Technical Revisions for hydrologic
characterization, groundwater monitoring, and determination
related to Designated Mining Operation status.
Following the strategy MES developed, Mt. Royale Ventures
(MRV) was able to obtain the permit amendment for a new
mine adit close to an environmentally sensitive residential
area of Boulder County, with no public opposition. This
strategy included extensive Good Samaritan cleanup of
unsightly debris and waste piles left outside the active
permit area by former operators, for which MRV subsequently
won the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and
Safety "Hardrock Mine Reclamation Award" for
2006.
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| Highland Tunnel - Mine Site Evaluation
Client: Brownstein, Hyatt & Farber, for private buyer
Location: Pitkin County, Colorado, United States
In 2006, MES was retained to perform a subsidence hazard
investigation and supplemental environmental evaluation,
including water and waste sampling, in connection with a
property transaction. MES subcontracted personnel from the
local Walsh Environmental field office to conduct water and
waste sampling and Stone Catalyst to perform underground
tunnel geologic reconnaissance and site documentation
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| Mine Operation History & PRP Search Reports - Technical Support
Client: US Bureau of Land Management
Location: United States
This project originally had a 5-year technical services
Blanket Purchase Agreement that now has been extended an
additional year through 2006. As a regulatory-required
precursor step to environmental cleanup actions, MES has
performed numerous historical records research /
Potentially Responsible Party reports for BLM and the
Solicitor General's Office.
This work includes chain of title review; accession and
analysis of mine operational history records, including
engineering reports, maps, mine inspector's reports,
production records; tracing of corporate ownership,
transfer and dissolutions.
Since 2002, MES has relied on mining geologist Susan Judy
of Stone Catalyst Consulting as a key resource in the
research and preparation of these reports.
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| Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station - Hoisting System Feasibility Study & Designs
Client: HB & A for, US Air Force
Location: Colorado, United States
MES was contracted in 2005 as an add-on to its support for
rock removal for a new elevator system study, to perform
the feasibility for underground tunnel rock removal and
tunnel re-support for improved underground material
hoisting systems for the facility.
The improved hoisting systems were for the blast valves and
for hoisting replacement utility systems to the command
center building roof. Critical issues included addressing
rockfall and rock stability, environmental, health and
safety, operational, access, security, power, ventilation,
haulage, and construction feasibility concerns.
Preliminary drawings and a cost estimate were provided for
the utility hoisting system rock removal. Detailed bid-
ready construction drawings, specifications, and work plans
were prepared for the blast valve hoisting system rock
removal.
MES mining engineer Matt Collins performed underground
surveying and 3-dimensional modeling of the rock cuts.
Deere and Ault engineer Dr. Christoph Goss, P.E. provided a
peer review of MES's specifications for rock removal,
shotcreting, and rock bolting.
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| Golden Age Mine - Mine Site Engineering Evaluation & Cost Analysis
Client: Walsh Environmental for, US Forest Service
Location: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
In 2005, MES was the Technical Lead for the preparation of
the EE/CA for this inactive mine tunnel site, located on
Forest lands. Issues include an adit draining acidic metal-
contaminated water into Castle Gulch, and a large mine
waste pile. MES was responsible for the identification and
scoping of the remedial alternatives, and the preparation
of detailed cost estimates.
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| Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station - New Adit Feasibility Study
Client: HB & A for US Air Force
Location: Colorado, United States
In 2004, MES was contracted to perform the feasibility for
a new tunnel to provide alternate access route and space
for a decontamination chamber for this underground defense
facility.
Work involved addressing geotechnical, environmental,
health and safety, operational, ventilation, power, debris
removal, access, security, blasting and other construction
feasibility concerns as well as providing preliminary
drawings and a cost estimate.
The study scope included construction of a new tunnel,
including blasting of rock for a tunnel entering between
the two main blast doors, at a distance of not more than 10
feet and within 20 feet of critical utilities and security
infrastructure at the other end.
MES researched ACOE and USBM technical literature from the
original facility construction to determine the frequency
response to blasting. Sub-consultant Gordon Revey, P.E.
used modern regression methods on the historic seismography
data to derive a more accurate site seismic constant and
developed preliminary shot designs.
MES in-house staff worked with sub-consultants Don Deere,
P.E. and Dr. Christoph Goss, P.E. on tunnel geotechnical
issues and on the production of the preliminary drawings.
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| Clean Water Act Citizen Suit Defense - Technical Support
Client: El Paso Gold Mines, Inc.
Location: United States
In defense of Sierra Club litigation against an owner of an
inactive mine, MES provided an analysis of maps and flow
pathways, and also provided underground entry protocols
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| Remedial Action Construction Dispute - Technical Assistance
Client: Private
Location: United States
In 2004, MES was retained by a governmental entity's
construction project manager and its Attorney General's
office to provide advice in the matter of a dispute over
remediation costs and contractor performance. Site
involved a former mineral processing facility with numerous
responsible parties and well over $20 million in response
costs. Dispute involved adequacy of design/build
remediation contractor's services in the context of
unexpectedly large amounts of radioactive waste which were
excavated and packaged.
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| Anvil Points Mine - Underground Oil Shale Mine Evaluation
Client: Walsh Environmental for, US Bureau of Land Management
Location: Garfield County, Colorado, United States
In 2004, MES wrote an underground entry safety plan,
conducted an underground mine evaluation and searched for
hazardous materials left in this former government research
facility. Work also involved mapping and documenting
hazardous materials, and provided sampling and removal
services. MES escorted government and consultant teams
through the mine workings.
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| Large Copper Mine - Mine Acquisition Due Diligence
Client: Private
Location: Western, United States
MES was engaged by a larger firm to provide advice and
environmental and reclamation permit issues identification
in the context of a large corporate acquisition of a copper
mine property in 2004.
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|  Strickler Water Tunnel - Tunnel Inspection
Client: Colorado Springs Utilities
Location: Colorado, United States
In 2004 MES performed a reconnaissance inspection of the
Strickler water tunnel and wrote a technical memorandum
documenting the condition of the tunnel, together with
repair alternatives as a technical demonstration to CSU.
View Pics
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| Burlington Mine VCUP - Design Engineering & Construction Management
Client: Walsh Environmental for, Honeywell, Inc.
Location: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
In 2003 and continuing through 2005, MES was retained as a
sub-consultant to Walsh Environmental to provide mine
closure design and construction management services for the
Burlington Mine Voluntary Clean-Up (VCUP) project, on
behalf of Honeywell, Inc.
This project won the 2005 Colorado Division of Minerals and
Geology’s "Hardrock Mine Reclamation Award".
The project involved the closure of a number of deep shafts
and subsidence features, interception and diversion of
alluvial groundwater, and consolidation and capping of mine
waste.
MES's work included review of mine maps and historic
records and analysis of potential subsidence and water
flow paths, assistance with selection of closure options,
coordination of the design team (preparation of design
drawings and specifications), bid package preparation,
assistance with review of contractor's proposals, as well
as construction management of the contractor in the field.
Ongoing supplemental work includes other sites in the
vicinity with a possible history of activity by entities in
the Honeywell corporate ancestry. Issues include water
drainage, mine waste, and mine physical hazards.
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| Captain Jack Mine Site - Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study (RI/FS)
Client: Walsh Environmental for Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment
Location: Colorado, United States
In late 2003, the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment announced the selection of the winning team for
the $550K Captain Jack Mine RI/FS, which included MES as a
key subcontractor under Walsh Environmental. MES' work
scope includes underground mapping and sampling, limited
rehabilitation for technical studies, and assistance with
evaluation of alternatives for controlling adit drainage,
waste rock management and other remedial actions.
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| Mine & Mill EE/CA Technical Reviews
Client: Walsh Environmental for, US Bureau of Land Management
Location: United States
In 2003 and 2004, MES was contracted to perform technical
peer review of numerous draft Engineering Evaluation / Cost
Analysis (EE/CA) documents prepared for the US Bureau of
Land Management in relation to evaluating the alternatives
for cleanup of various individual inactive mine and mill
sites on federal land.
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| Ute Ule Mine - Mine Engineering Evaluation & Cost Analysis
Client: Harding ESE/Mactec for, US Bureau of Land Management
Location: Hinsdale County, Colorado, United States
In 2002, MES performed underground mine water and tailings
sampling, limited mine rehabilitation, underground
surveying and hydrologic evaluation, identification of
several remedial options, and other services in support of
the Engineering Evaluation / Cost Analysis (EE/CA) for the
Ute-Ule mine near Lake
City, Colorado.
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| Mining Claim Validity Determination - Expert Witness
Client: US Forest Service Regional Mineral Examiner & USDA Office of General Counsel
Location: United States
In support of mineral contest litigation, in 2002, MES
performed an extensive review of Government's and
Claimant's geologic and economic data, conducted a site
examination, and provided expert testimony related to the
non-feasibility of mining an unpatented narrow-vein gold
prospect with measured resource grades averaging less than
0.3 OPT and located in a remote wilderness area.
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| Abandoned Mine Site Inventory - Construction Project Mgmt. & Technical Services
Client: Colorado Division of Minerals & Geology (DMG)
Location: Colorado, United States
This project was active from July 1999 through December
2001. MES provided engineering services for mine
reclamation, project development and construction
management which consisted of research, field location of
approximately 325 mine openings, GPS surveys, development
of project GIS database and maps, identified land status of
inactive mine features, categorization of the openings, and
selection/design of appropriate closure technique,
preparation of specifications, bid documents, and
construction management of contractors to Colorado DMG for
mine reclamation contracts.
The five components of the project included:
1. Inventory and closure of very remote high altitude
mines along the a 26-mile segment of the Henson Creek
drainage from Lake City, Colorado to the summit of Engineer
Pass for the Bureau of Land Management as the funding
agency to DMG. Some of this work was supported by pack
mule hauling of supplies into remote and Wilderness areas.
2. Inventory and closure of very remote and high
elevation mines in the Buckskin Gulch drainage west of
Alma, Colorado. This work utilized helicopters for
transport.
3. Inventory of remote and high elevation sites in the
vicinity of Creede, Colorado for USFS as funding agency to
DMG.
4. Design and construction management of a waste
landfill closure, where uranium tailings and municipal
garbage had been placed into an inactive surface coal mine
site. This portion of the work scope was performed by sub-
consultant John Jankousky, P.E., then at Parsons (now at
EME Solutions).
5. Peer review of standard State of Colorado
construction specifications for mine closures.
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| Roy Pratt Tunnel - Mine Site Technical Support
Client: Colorado Division of Mineral & Geology for, US Bureau of Land Management
Location: Hinsdale County, Colorado, United States
In collaboration with co-consultant Dr. John Abel, P.E., in
2001 MES performed:
underground mine water characterization (mapping, sampling,
flow measurements); underground mine bulkhead and grouting
planning; investigation of underground conditions.
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| WIPP Site - Radioactive Waste Bulkhead Design Technical Review
Client: Environmental Evaluation Group, NM
Location: Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States
In 2001 MES was retained to perform a technical peer review
of the Department of Energy's proposed modifications to the
seals for the closure of the transuranic waste panels at
the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site, near Carlsbad,
New Mexico.
Sub-consultants Dr. John F. Abel evaluated the proposed
enhancements, concentrating on bulkhead and masonry wall
stability, and Dr. D.R. Morgan evaluated changes in the
proposed concrete mix and grouting formulations.
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|  Yak Drainage Tunnel - Tunnel Inspections
Client: Asarco, Inc.
Location: Lake County, Colorado, United States
MES was contracted to perform annual tunnel inspections,
together with maintenance recommendations, for a 3-year
period. In addition to these professional services, MES
was also contracted to perform the necessary repairs.
View Pics
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| Nil Desperandum Mine - Mine Property Evaluation
Client: Enpro for, University of Colorado at Boulder
Location: Boulder County, CO, United States
Nil Desperandum Mine – As sub-consultant to Enpro, MES
provided evaluation services and report for an expanded
Phase 1 assessment related to the donation of this property
to the University of Colorado.
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| Mine Subsidence Evaluation
Client: Top of Mill, LLC
Location: Aspen, Colorado, United States
MES performed a subsidence hazard evaluation for new
development on former mining property at the base of Aspen
Mountain.
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| Subsidence Evaluation
Client: Private Developer
Location: Boulder County, CO, United States
MES performed a subsidence hazard evaluation for new
development in the Sunshine District.
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| Underground Evaluation
Client: Private Major Mining Company
Location: United States
MES performed an assessment of the underground conditions
and potential sludge release liabilities associated with an
inactive mine site, together with an engineering report and
cost estimate for alternatives to reduce risk of
catastrophic release.
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| Environmental & Economic Assessment
Client: Private Exploration/Mining Project Investors
Location: Colorado, United States
MES twice has conducted detailed environmental liability
and economic feasibility analyses of ongoing gold advanced
prospects or production operations and in each case
provided reports advising the investors.
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| Permitting Review and Public Relations
Client: Private Small Mining Company
Location: Colorado, United States
MES performed permitting review, community relations and
construction management for an underground gold mine
rehabilitation and bulk sampling project after a previous
operator had turned the local community against the project.
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| Economic Evaluation
Client: Private Small Exploration Company
Location: Colorado, United States
MES performed an economic evaluation of an underground rare-
minerals pegmatite deposit in Colorado.
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