Mining & Minerals
RJ Lee Group works with clients in the exploration for and development of minerals and earth materials in the most efficient manner while protecting the environment.
Our science helps companies be responsible stewards of healthy environments and people.
Drew R. Van Orden, P.E. Industry Contact
We work directly with major mining and mineral processing operations in the U.S., Brazil, China and beyond to reduce the environmental footprint of the mining process. Our experts contribute to a safe and clean surface and underground mining environment by providing prevention and control techniques such as:
- OSHA, MSHA and EPA-mandated analytical methods for clients who routinely conduct compliance monitoring for asbestos, crystalline silica, metals and vapors.
- Routine monitoring and analysis of air samples for ambient, combustible and flammable gases.
- Analysis of surface and groundwater samples to determine baseline water chemistry so changes such as contamination can be easily recognized.
- Identification of underground environmental problems such as dusts, temperature, and humidity.
- Assessment of natural and mechanical ventilation systems.
- Characterization of mine waste.
Materially Speaking
RJ Lee Group materials experts consult with clients and perform forensic analyses relating to material selection, failure analysis and material/environmental factors that promote corrosion on haulage operations such as belt conveyors and hoists, fluid power systems such as pumps, compressors and piping, and other secondary systems needed to support mining operations. We can model predictions of component life in a service environment, and our systems reliability group can collect, combine, process and analyze divergent data to develop a preventive maintenance program to ensure optimum usability of equipment.
Smarter Science
Running cleaner, smarter mining and mineral operations involves a careful balance of environmental, legal, regulatory and business priorities. Our services include:
- Determination of mineral composition of mined ore or finished products, including characterization of any regulated or potentially regulated minerals.
- Investigation of raw and in-process materials to ensure they meet client specifications and regulatory requirements, and to identify material variation and potential contamination.
- Compilation of data for product certification and quality standards.
- Geological evaluations of mines and quarries.
- Third-party laboratory validation studies.
- Litigation support.
- Collaboration with agency, industry and toxicology experts on extensive investigations. Many of these investigations result in testimony before regulatory bodies.
In the identification and characterization of minerals, our analysts use the best-suited techniques including, X-Ray Diffraction(XRD) to establish crystallographic patterns, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) to determine concentrations of selected elements; wet chemistry techniques for gravimetric and volumetric concentration, electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and optical microscopy (PCM, PLM) The variety of minerals to analyze, constituents to be determined, matrix compositions encountered all present challenges. RJ Lee Group accepts those challenges.
