MBS Environmental has prepared Tier 1, 2 and 3 Ecological Risk Assessments (ERA) to support approvals pathways for mining operations. MBS has experience in preparing ERAs for various practices including:

• Dewatering discharges to aquatic (rivers, lakes, salt lakes) and terrestrial environments.
• Faunal interactions with waste landforms (e.g., pit lakes, waste evaporation ponds).
• On site water re-utilisation (e.g., dust suppression, irrigation).

Ecological Risk Assessment Assistance:

• The identification of contaminants of potential concern, key ecological processes and organisms and ecosystems potentially impacted by proposed operations.
• Selection of analytes for surface water, soil, sediment and/or groundwater monitoring programs.
• Sampling and analysis programs to develop site-specific trigger values for elements of importance/concern to support Tier 2 ERAs.
• Organising the analysis of water/soil/plant samples through NATA (National Association of
  Testing Authorities) accredited laboratories.
• Organising laboratory-based ecotoxicological studies utilising species of local significance to support Tier 3 ERAs.
• Calculating and modelling contaminant concentrations, fate and behaviours in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Preparing conceptual models that summarize the key ecological processes potentially impacted by mining operations.
• Statistical assessments to support approvals pathways.
• Spatial (GIS) mapping of potentially impacted areas.