An aluminum manufacturer has been mining bauxite (aluminum) in Arkansas since 1898. In 1990, bauxite mining ceased and reclamation of the site was planned. The total mining site was around 2,600 ac, but the area impacted by mining activity was around 6,800 ac total. The overburden contained lignitic material and resulted in acidic runoff from the spoil piles on the site. Other hazards are the underground mines, which contain over 66 pits that vary in depth up to several hundred feet, surrounded by high walls and steep, erodible spoil piles. Specifically, FTN has been involved in the following tasks:
Developing the site reclamation plan that includes a holistic, watershed perspective on achieving environmental and water quality objectives.
Conducting laboratory, field pilot and small-scale demonstration projects to evaluate alternative remediation approaches.
Developing a remediation decision-making tool to help prioritize the areas for remediation and screen potential land uses following reclamation.
Conducting focus group meetings with local and state agency officials, business persons and private citizens in the surrounding communities.
Coordinating with state and federal regulatory agencies to formulate reclamation plans that will both satisfy the intent of the regulations and permit innovative reclamation approaches.
Provided long-term on-site support for soil amendment operations including soil analyses, developing liming rates, field oversight, project tracking documentation.
Providing divestiture planning and coordination with agencies and local interest groups as a long-term solution for liability transfer.
Conducting long-term water quality monitoring and database management to document reclamation improvement to water quality as well as address Regulation 15 closure requirements.
Conducting HELP modeling and engineering support for feasibility and design of low permeability clay barriers evaluations to reduce infiltration and subsequent treatment costs.
Providing hydrogeologic evaluation of subsurface flow pathways.
Groundwater monitoring and water level tracking/reporting.
Little Rock, AR
● Fayetteville, AR
● Baton Rouge, LA
● Jackson, MS
