SSP&A provided expert services for the State of New Mexico, New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) in lawsuits related to a mine blowout at the Gold King Mine in Silverton, Colorado.
In support of this litigation, Dr. Charles Andrews and Dr. Beth Hoagland of SSP&A estimated that the mine blowout resulted in the release of more than three million gallons of acidic groundwater and more than one million pounds of metals into a headwater tributary of the San Juan River. Their analysis found that the transport, deposition, and subsequent resuspension of sediments during storms and spring snowmelt resulted in the exceedance of water quality criteria for lead as far as ~260 miles downstream of the mine, and nearly a year after the initial release.
The State of New Mexico and NMED settled their matter for $32 million.
Tasks performed by SSP&A included:
- Assessment of streamflow data, mine adit flows, and quantification of release volumes.
- Analysis of surface water, groundwater, and sediment geochemical data (metals).
- Evaluation of sediment transport dynamics, including residence times and resuspension.
- Preparation of expert report and deposition testimony.
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