Information Technology

Project Name: Abandoned Mine Land 8.1-II - Statewide Mine Site Inventory

Project Location: Statewide Wyoming

Services Provided:

  • Data Management
  • Field data system design and deployment
  • Field Services
  • GIS design and analysis
  • Surveying and mapping

Trihydro was contracted by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Division for a statewide site inventory project.  The purpose of the project was to update an inventory database with existing abandoned mine sites information, and to identify and inventory new sites not previously included in the database.  The project consisted of four phases.  The initial phase  entailed compilation of data for potential mine sites throughout Wyoming.  The second phase focused on developing protocols for the project, field inventories and mapping, data collection, cost estimating, and hazard prioritization.  The third phase encompassed field inventories and data collection, while the last phase included QA/QC and uploading of collected data.

Specific project components included:          

  • Updating information for sites currently stored in the AML  database
  • Identifying and obtaining additional databases/sources listing hazardous mine features in Wyoming 
  • Identification of sites requiring a field inventory
  • Developing field protocols, field database, reclamation unit costs, and priority criteria
  • Developing field packages, including mapping, historical information, and mine maps for use by field teams during site inventories
  • Conducting field inventories of identified sites using GPS units loaded with a project-specific data dictionary
  • QA/QC of completed inventories and assigning order of magnitude reclamation cost estimates
  • Developing a new AML database and GIS project to store and provide access to information compiled during the current, previous, and future AML projects

Trihydro served as the lead consultant  and provided coordination between the teams working on the project.  Trihydro lead bi-weekly coordination calls with WDEQ, developed a project website to track project progress and post important information regarding the project, and prepared weekly and monthly progress reports charting project progress.

In addition to management and coordination of the project, Trihydro was responsible for the following project components:

  • Researching and identifying databases containing information on abandoned mines in Wyoming
  • Developing the detailed, project-specific data dictionary for the GPS units
  • Developing a GIS project used to review sites and identify sites requiring field inventories
  • Developing the field inventory database, new AML database, GIS applications, and web applications
  • Reviewing site listings to identify sites to be visited
  • Conducting field inventories of suspected hazardous mine sites
  • Performing QA/QC and assigning costs to completed field inventories

The project, from initial scoping through the inventory and collection of data at 1,695 potential mines sites, was completed within an 18-month window.  WDEQ utilizes the work products from this project to assist in managing the AML program.  The applications and data are used to prioritize reclamation, to provide base-level information for consultants designing reclamation, and for tracking reclamation progress.