AMEC launches mining laboratory

AMEC’s UK environmental business has formed a joint venture with the Royal Holloway University to launch a new commercial mining laboratory to provide specialist mining waste testing services.

The Royal Holloway is one of the UK's leading centres of excellence for research and teaching in geology, while AMEC is a major service provider to the global mining industry.

To help secure new commercial business for the new London laboratory, AMEC will use its industry contacts and existing project portfolio. The first contracts involve investigations in the Balkans and Turkey.

Predicting the impacts that mining wastes can cause, potentially involving the release of acids and heavy metals, helps the industry understand the potential consequences for the environment and allows the development of limitation measures. The laboratory will also characterise waste from existing mining operations to enhance performance and assist with clean-up operations.

According to AMEC, the new facility will remove the need to send samples to remote specialist facilities. The company's interpretive scientists will have full control and understanding of the test work with the aim of improving the quality of service provided.