Project Specifics

Arch Resources (Arch) is a leading U.S. producer of metallurgical products for the global steel industry, and the leading supplier of premium High-Vol A metallurgical coal globally. Arch and its subsidiaries operate four large, modern metallurgical mines that consistently set the industry standard for both mine safety and environmental stewardship.

The flagship Leer mine consistently ranks among the lowest cost U.S. metallurgical mines and produces a product quality that is recognized and sought-after worldwide. Leer operations are complemented by the Leer South, Beckley and Mountain Laurel mines, which in aggregate provide Arch with a full suite of high-quality metallurgical products for sale into the global metallurgical market. Arch and its subsidiaries also operate highly efficient, low-cost thermal mines in the Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming, and in Colorado. These mines produce highly cost-competitive thermal coal for sale into the domestic and international power generation markets.

Geosyntec Scope of Services

Geosyntec has provided a full suite of environmental management system services to Arch – from Consent Decree regulatory liaison to development, implementation, maintenance, and auditing of its compliance-focused environmental management system. Geosyntec has also helped Arch expand the EMS to all of its operations. We have provided corporate-wide and operations-specific compliance support, including Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) applicability determination and reporting, Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan development and training, and waste management support. Additionally, we developed an Environmental Management Information System to collect sustainability data necessary for Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting.

Notable Accomplishments

Geosyntec has provided a full suite of Environmental Management System (EMS), compliance and performance support services to Arch including serving as a liaison between Arch and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), U.S. Department of Justice, and three states regarding claims under the Clean Water Act that resulted in a Consent Decree to development, implementation, maintenance, and auditing of its compliance-focused EMS. Geosyntec has also provided corporate-wide and operations-specific environmental compliance and performance support, including environmental program development, training, and auditing, Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) applicability determination and reporting, Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan development and training, and waste management program development. Additionally, we developed an Environmental Management Information System to collect sustainability data necessary for Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting and are working with Arch and their third-party environmental management information system development support (EMIS) provider, Cority, on water mapping and waste tracking tools. Through Cority, Arch can track both compliance deadlines and progress toward water use and waste minimization goals.

Geosyntec helped Arch avoid stipulated penalties by meeting its Consent Decree deadlines. In addition, we have helped Arch greatly reduce surface water permit exceedances through implementation of EMS procedures. Lastly, we have helped increase Arch’s organizational compliance and management systems knowledge and helped them realize the many benefits and efficiencies of standardized management system methods, processes, and practices.

What is a Quick Qual?