1. Design-Build Strategies to
Optimize Cost Effectiveness
in Abandoned Mine Remediation Projects
By
Franz Campero, PhD, PE

2. Background:
The Design-Build Delivery System
Advantages:
• Integrated Approach
• Single Responsible Entity
• Innovation
• Shorter Schedule
• Lower Cost
• Reduced Risk to the Owner
• Reduced Claims and Disputes
Franz Campero, PhD, PE

3. Design-Build Delivery System
Weaknesses:
• Acquisition Regulations of some Agencies
• Level of Detail in Performance Specifications
• Design Professional’s new role
These two eliminated by working
proactively and in-line with the owner
during design and construction
Franz Campero, PhD, PE

4. Modifications to Allow for Innovation
and Increased Scope
• DB allowed for in-field design that
utilized an upstream road to collect and
re-route stormwater runoff away from
tailings
• Savings allowed for removal,
consolidation and capping of tailings
unaccounted for in the scope of the
project
• Savings allowed for construction of rock
weir to retain sediments and avoid
mercury methylation
• Use of real-time chemical testing via XRF
saved $5,000 in laboratory costs and
several days in schedule delays
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
Bureau of Land Management – Helen Mine
CERCLA Non-Time Critical Removal Action
Lake Co, CA

5. Modifications to Accommodate
Construction Schedule
• Liner design and specifications
modification (GCL to HDPE) to
keep the cell unfinished (RA
could not be completed in one
field season)
• Redesign of final cap (to
accommodate an additional
20,000 cubic yards of waste
discovered during RA)
• Savings allowed for PUF closure
of previously unknown shaft
and installation of bat gates
on several previously
unknown adits
• Estimated cost savings on the
order of $200,000
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
US Forest Services - Blue Ledge Mine
Tailings Remediation and Site Restoration
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, OR

6. Modifications to Accommodate
Unforeseen Conditions
• DB approach modified original
consolidation cell approach into a
hybrid repository/cap-in-place
system to include an increase of
tailings volume of more than
14,700 cubic yards unaccounted
for during the EE/CA at no
additional cost
• Use of real-time
chemical testing via
XRF saved $7,000 in
laboratory costs and
weeks in schedule delays
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
Bureau of Land Management –
Sonoma Mine
CERCLA Non-Time Critical Removal Action,
Lake/Sonoma Co, CA

7. Modifications to Accommodate
Challenging Access
• DB team evaluated site
access options and saved
more than $100,000 in
access roads and weeks in
construction schedule by
transporting equipment
and RCRA hazardous
wastes via helicopter
• Effective radio
communications and
operational efficiencies
saved an additional
$60,000 in reduced flight
times and man hours on
the ground
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
US Forest Services - Black Bob Mine
Site Removal Action
Sierra National Forest, Kern Co, CA

8. Modifications to Accommodate
Short Schedules
• Conducting this project as a
design-build eliminated the
costs of a pre-design EE/CA,
saving an estimated
$75,000
• Use of real-time chemical
testing via XRF saved
$5,000 in laboratory costs
and weeks in completion
schedule
• Savings allowed for
additional road work and
more than 2,000 feet of
ditch repairs at no
additional cost
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
US Forest Services - Poorman Forks Mine
Time-Critical Removal Action of Mine Tailings
Tahoe National Forest, Nevada Co, CA

9. Modifications to Accommodate
Unforeseen Conditions
•
•
•
•
DB approach modified original
consolidation cell approach to include an
increase of tailings volume of 15,000 cubic
yards unaccounted for during
the EE/CA at no additional cost
To avoid design and construction
of an additional cell, DB team raised
the cap elevations and bridged the
adit water flow by utilizing a buried
rock drain
Resulting estimated cost savings in
the order of $75,000 and design and
construction schedule of four weeks
Use of real-time chemical testing via
XRF saved an additional $5,000 in
laboratory costs
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
Bureau of Land Management –
Contact Mine
CERCLA Non-Time Critical
Removal Action
Lake/Sonoma Co, CA

10. Modifications to Accommodate
Unforeseen Conditions
• Historic burial site discovered during
construction. DB team resolved the
issue with no impact to project
schedule by reshaping and
re-contouring tailings, and
cap-in-place to avoid disturbing
the archeological site
• DB team allowed for in-line
implementation of additional erosion
controls, re-direction of surface
drainage, and installation of buried
HDPE drain from the adit (with rock-lined
outfall to control erosion) to reduce the
potential erosion of tailings from the insitu encapsulation area and to encourage
natural re-vegetation
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
US Forest Services - Kern Piute Mines Removal Action
Seqouia National Forest, Tulare Co, CA

11. Modifications to Reduce Cost
of Materials
• DB team modified original
consolidation cell approach to
utilize local borrow site
beneath the planned
consolidation cell
(savings of more than $500,000)
Bureau of Land Management – Kelly Mine
CERCLA Remedial Action
Ridgecrest, Kern Co, CA
• Use of real-time chemical testing via XRF
to save an estimated $30,000 in sample
shipping, handling and laboratory
costs, and weeks in delays
Franz Campero, PhD, PE

12. Modifications to Accommodate
Short Schedules
• Conducting this project
as a design-build
eliminated the costs of a
pre-design EE/CA, saving
an estimated $75,000
• Use of real-time chemical
testing via XRF allowed
for cap-in-place and
consolidation cell dual
system and laboratory
cost savings totaling
more than $25,000 and
weeks in schedule delays
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
US Forest Services - Four Oaks Mine
Non-Time-Critical Removal Action
Sequoia National Forest, Kern Co, CA

13. Modifications to Allow for Innovation
and Challenging Access
• DB allowed for in-field
design and modifications to
maximize the effectiveness
of the intended solution
• Approach saved an
estimated $100,000 by
eliminating the need to
construct and destroy
access roads for heavy
equipment
• Approach also minimized
impacts to local vegetation
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
US Forest Services - Alpha Diggings Hydraulic Mine
Non-Time-Critical Removal Action
Tahoe National Forest, Nevada Co, CA

14. Modifications to Accommodate
Unforeseen Conditions
• DB allowed for in-field design
and modifications to include
an increase of tailings volume
uncovered during excavation
of more than 200% at no
additional cost
• To accommodate the
additional volume, the DB
team raised the cap
elevations and adjusted the
drainage trench
configuration
• Approach also saved an
estimated four weeks of
increased schedule
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
US Forest Services - Williams Brothers Mine
Removal Action
Sierra National Forest, Mariposa Co, CA

15. Modifications to Minimize
Environmental Impact
• DB allowed
for in-field
design and
modifications to
maximize the
effectiveness of
the intended
solution
US Forest Services - Union Zaar Mine
Non-Time Critical Removal Action
Sierra National Forest, Del Norte Co, CA
Franz Campero, PhD, PE

16. Modifications to Reduce Construction
Costs
• DB team modified original
consolidation cell
approach and
specifications to utilize
local borrow site (savings
of more than $100,000)
• Use of real-time chemical
testing via XRF to save an
estimated $15,000 in
sample shipping, handling
and laboratory costs, and
weeks in schedule delays
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
Bureau of Land Management – Ruth Mine
CERCLA Remedial Action
Ridgecrest, Kern Co, CA

17. Modifications to Minimize
Environmental Impact
• DB team evaluated options
for beneficial reuse of on-site
coal waste
• Selected approach included
disposition of the coal waste
to a local coal mine, saving
the owner $170,000
• Hydraulic modeling and
runoff analysis resulted in an
optimized restoration system
of integrated check dams
and stream restoration
features
Franz Campero, PhD, PE
Utah Department of Natural Resources,
Pondtown Coal Mine Reclamation Project
Carbon Co, UT

18. Questions?
Thank You!
Franz Campero, PhD, PE, MBA, DIC