We provide borrow pit and quarry evaluations and assessments for property owners, developers, and contractors.  Our assessments vary from “desk studies” to full geologic and geotechnical studies.

We typically rely on the following information when performing borrow pit evaluations:

• State and local regulations
• Tax maps and other property maps
• Geologic maps
• USGS topographic maps
• Local municipal and state GIS maps
• Site observations, especially where areas have been previously mined
• Site specific topography
• Subsurface explorations including test pits and borings
• Laboratory tests
• Any other pertinent available information

While we recognize that each and every site is unique, we offer the following general approaches:

• Rough quantity estimates using published tophographic maps, geologic maps, and local and and state mining regulations. This basic level of investigation typically includes a site visit.

• Intermediate quantity estimates using the items above and including site specific topography, typically 2 ft contour intervals. The site visit for this level typically includes mapping of exisiting soil or rock conditions, excavating test pits, and procuring hand samples for laboratory testing. 

• Detailed quantity estimates including the intermediate above and including test pits and borings at frequencies appropriate to the size of the site. The information obtained in the intermediate quantity estimate is used to focus the test pit explorations in areas where mining is most appropriate. 

In addition to the above, SGS works with several experienced commercial property appraisers to assign monetary value to the quantity estimates.