experience

The following is a selection of our recent projects:

Health & Safety Planning - Kazakhstan: IKL has conducted a comprehensive review of health and safety issues relating to the underground coal mines belonging to a major steel producer in Kazakhstan. The work has been carried out on behalf of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and IFC under funding from the UK government.

Environmental and Social Risk Appraisal - Burkina Faso: IKL has recently completed an environmental risk appraisal of two gold mining prospects in different areas of Burkina Faso. Apart from identifying environmental and human receptors to potential impacts from exploration and mining, the social implications were also appraised to give the client a firm basis on which to make an investment decision.

Cement Operations - Dominican Republic: IKL is currently providing strategic support to a major cement producer in the Dominican Republic. We have carried out environmental impact assessments, infrastructure studies and developed mining strategies in a number of concessions. It is expected that the work will extend to developing new distribution infrastructure and processing facilities.

Industrial Minerals - Spain: IKL is currently assessing the risks for subsidence damage caused by abandoned potash mines in the eastern region of Spain by using a number of advanced engineering techniques. Remote geotechnical monitoring installed by IKL is used to maintain a safe environment at a former salt mine now open as a tourist attraction.

Coal Mine Methane Utilisation - Ukraine: IKL has carried out technical and economic risk appraisals of coal mine methane capture from several operating coal mines for the purpose of carbon emission reductions. Schemes aimed at power generation facilities and heat utilisation have been assessed as part multi disciplinary IFC teams with special emphasis on environmental compliance.

Environmental and commercial risk assessment - China: IKL carried out a rapid risk assessment of coal mining operations and associated methane capture facilities on behalf of IFC on a prospect in northern China. The objective was to identify the technical and social risks associated with the project on which the investment decision was made.

Environmental Risk Assessments, UK: INTERKONSULT is presently managing a number of environmental studies in the UK aimed at satisfying the provisions of Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Whilst we regularly carry out Phase I and II investigations, it is the high level analysis of the derived data to produce qualitative and quantitative risk analyses that has formed the main spring of our projects. These include:

  • Assessment of former gasworks - Lincolnshire
  • Supporting contract litigation associated with environmental remediation - Yorkshire
  • Remedial plans for former engineering works designated for residential development - Lincolnshire
  • Conversion of former petrol station site to new school buildings
  • Identifying risks associated with shallow mine workings - City of Lincoln
  • Mitigation of risks associated with domestic heating oil spillages - Lincolnshire
  • Mapping of environmental risks associated with former industrial works - South Wales

Simulation of underground climate and ventilation system - UK: INTERKONSULT has produced ventilation plans for the tunnels under Dover Castle on behalf of English Heritage to mitigate the risks to infrastructure and human health. Routine monitoring of the underground environment and modifications to the ventilation system in place have been achieved whilst respecting the originality of the exhibits open to the public. Risk assessments and emergency plans have also been developed using advanced computer techniques to simulate potential hazards in a complex network.

Geotechnical and Geological Risk Assessments - UK: We have carried out detailed ground investigtions using geophysics and deep borehole drilling to provide pre-construction information on a number of sites around the UK. These include:

  • Refurbishment of firestations - Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
  • Specification of ground conditions for new multi-story car park, Grantham