Case Study: Integral Consulting achieves regulatory-approved, environmentally minimizing mine remediation and $100M+ client savings with Palisade @RISK

Integral Consulting Uses @RISK to Help Protect the Environment

Integral Consulting, a science and engineering firm, was hired by a Fortune 100 mining company to evaluate remediation strategies for a 100‑year‑old hard‑rock mine facing acid mine drainage and rock‑slide risks. The EPA and State initially favored complete removal — a >20‑year, ~USD $180M plan that would increase truck traffic, public hazards and greenhouse‑gas emissions — so Integral used Palisade’s @RISK to quantitatively assess alternatives under uncertainty.

Integral built a multi‑criteria decision analysis (MCDA) within the CERCLA framework, breaking nine criteria into 18 measurable factors and using @RISK with PERT distributions to model uncertainties, normalize scores, and weight stakeholder preferences. Palisade’s @RISK enabled sensitivity analysis and clear comparison of four cleanup scenarios; the team selected re‑grading and capping, secured EPA/State approval, and delivered a measurable savings of USD $136M while reducing environmental and community impacts.

Integral Consulting

Tim Havranek

Principal Consultant