the RESPEC Advantage
Deep expertise. Integrated teams. Proven results.
years solving complex mining problems
professionals across North America
of active clients are mining and energy
of active projects serve mining and energy
Strategic Partnerships
"Innovation in mine water treatment isn’t about complexity. It’s about simplicity that works. With Amprey™ and Misty™, we’ve developed modular, low-input technologies that strip out contaminants like selenium, sulphate, and nitrate with unmatched efficiency. These systems are scalable, cost-effective, and built for the realities of mining."
Rob Stephenson // Founder and CTO, WaterStrider Treatment Inc.
2024 Acquisitions Expanded RESPEC's Capabilities
These partnerships strengthen our ability to deliver advanced solutions across mining lifecycle challenges.
Enviromin
Geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, microbial ecology, and biogeochemical treatment
Geothermal Resource Group
Subsurface characterization for energy and mining
EARTHRES
Advanced geophysical and hydrogeological services
Meet Our Team
Dr. Mario Bianchin, PhD, P.Geo
Director of Mine Water Management
Mario Bianchin has 31 years of environmental engineering experience. He is a positive leader and forward-thinking business developer passionate about building and leading technical teams. Mario balances a broad range of technical and marketing capabilities with client understanding to bring innovative solutions to an evolving market. He has expertise in engineering operations management, technical leadership, and project management, as well as leading highly technical and multidisciplinary teams.
Technical Expertise
- Mine Water Management Plan Development
- Water Quality Analyses
- Water Treatment Design
- Hydrogeological Investigations
- Hydrogeochemical Investigations
- In-situ Hydrogeological/ Hydrogeochemical Method Development
- Technical Reporting
Dr. Lisa Kirk, PhD, PG
Principal Biogeochemist and Manager, Enviromin (a Division of RESPEC)
Dr. Lisa Kirk is Principal Biogeochemist and Manager of Enviromin, a Division of RESPEC. Lisa’s expertise lies in the aqueous and microbial geochemistry of mined materials and their evaluation and assessment throughout the mine life cycle. She has more than 40 years of experience designing geochemical sampling and analytical programs; geochemical modeling and characterization of surface and groundwater, including brines; mine land reclamation; and environmental assessment. Her experience includes developing and implementing both conventional and custom laboratory test methods for assessing metal mobility, acid generation potential, and biogeochemical attenuation of varied contaminants. Lisa has successfully developed several geochemical models of rock-water interactions and mine water quality prediction for underground workings, ponds, stockpiles, and pit lakes. She also has expertise in assessment, fate and transport, and management of acid rock drainage and metal release potential. Lisa provides expertise in the biogeochemistry and design of in situ waste and water treatment bioreactors. Lisa was the founder and President of Enviromin, which RESPEC acquired in 2024.
Technical Expertise
- Mine Life Cycle Biogeochemistry
- Water Treatment Reactor Design/Operation
- Molecular Biogeochemistry
- Geochemical Modeling & Characterization
- Custom Geochemical Sampling & Analytical Programs
- Mined Land Reclamation
- Environmental Assessment
Dr. Niko Finke, PhD, P.Geo
Senior Environmental Biogeochemist
Dr. Niko Finke is a biogeochemist with more than 20 years of expertise in environmental geochemistry and microbial ecology. He has a strong background in studying the interconnectedness of microbial activity and geochemical zonation in groundwater and surface water systems. Niko is interested in using state-of-the-art molecular biological tools to support mining clients. He uses his expertise working with mining clients in Canada and globally to address challenges with mine waste management and water treatment to meet the increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
Technical Expertise
- Mine Water Quality Analyses
- Water Stable & Radio Isotope Analysis
- Mine Water Selenium & Nitrate Removal
- Biological Mine Water Treatment
- Water Treatment Options Analysis
- Geochemical Modelling
Dr. Rachel Spietz, PhD
Senior Environmental Microbiologist
Dr. Rachel Spietz is responsible for project management, oversight of laboratory and molecular experiments, and analysis and interpretation of biogeochemical and microbial sequence data in the context of mine waste management. She brings extensive microbial ecology and biogeochemical research knowledge from a vast range of natural and human-impacted systems. By combining field sampling with laboratory testing, Rachel uses molecular, physiological, and geochemical data to characterize the relationships between microorganisms and their environment. Rachel is an affiliate Assistant Research Professor at Montana State University in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, where she has been engaged in research to better understand the interactions between microorganisms and minerals and the resulting beneficial or malignant effects of those interactions on the environment.
Technical Expertise
- Microbial Community Ecology
- Microbe-Mineral Interactions
- Bioinformatics and Statistical Analyses in R and Python
- Biomining of Metals
Dustin Morin
Market Sector Lead, Reclamation
Dustin Morin brings more than 20 years of abandoned mine reclamation and environmental restoration experience, including leadership as former Director of Alabama's Mining and Reclamation Division. He has overseen all facets of AML projects, from field inventory and hazard prioritization through design and construction of portal closures, highwall reclamations, and coal fire mitigation. Dustin served as president of the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs and represents Alabama on the Interstate Mining Compact Commission. His commitment to public service, safety, and community impact drives every reclamation project he leads.
Technical Expertise
- Abandoned Mine Reclamation
- Staff Training and Development
- Program, Project, and Consultant Management
- Environmental Assessment
- Mine Safety and Rescue
- Communications and Public Relations
- Surface Mining
- Endangered Species Act
Chris Johnson
Manager, Hydrogeology and Data Modeling
Chris Johnson brings 18 years of geotechnical engineering experience focused on subsurface flow and hydrogeological analyses for surface and underground mines. He specializes in salt and potash mine inflows, having worked across North America on nearly every aspect, from field testing and groundwater modeling to grouting support and microseismic analysis. Chris has developed custom MATLAB applications for interpreting hydraulic pressure, microseismic, and closure data, extracting maximum value from multidisciplinary datasets. His data analysis expertise helps mining operations predict and prevent costly inflow events before they happen.
Technical Expertise
- Hydrogeological Analyses
- Salt and Potash Mine Inflow Analyses
- Geomechanical Analyses
- Microseismic Analyses
- Data Analysis and Statistics
Katharine Seipel
Senior Environmental Scientist
Katharine Seipel is a Senior Environmental Scientist responsible for geochemical characterization program planning and implementation, project management, oversight of contract laboratory testing, data analysis, geochemical modeling, and reporting. She has 20 years of experience consulting for a variety of environmental projects, as well as laboratory research experience in microbiology and aqueous geochemistry. Katharine has experience with mining waste-rock geochemistry, supporting new permitting projects and mine expansions. She is experienced in statistical analysis, code-based analysis in R, and geochemical modeling in PHREEQC. Her service areas include mine permitting, regulatory liaison, geochemical data analysis and modeling, data management consultation, and environmental due diligence. Katharine also has a background in microbial ecology, monitoring, and bioremediation of subsurface chlorinated solvent and petroleum contamination sites.
Technical Expertise
- Custom Geochemical Sampling Design and Implementation
- Geochemical Modeling
- Characterization of Cemented Paste Tailings
- Evaluation of Hydraulic Plug Mine Closure
- Environmental Assessment
- Coding in R software
- Statistical Analysis
- Subsurface Remediation
Daley Clohan, PMP, P.Eng, PE
Principal Engineer
Daley Clohan is a hydrotechnical engineer with more than 17 years of experience specializing in computational fluid dynamics and water resources engineering. He has led innovative projects in tailings dam breach assessments, landslide-generated wave modeling, and hydraulic structure design across six continents. Daley combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership, building multidisciplinary teams and advancing industry standards for risk management and water infrastructure. His work supports mining, energy, and municipal clients in developing resilient solutions to complex hydrotechnical challenges.
Technical Expertise
- Tailings Dam Breach Assessments (TDBA)
- Non-Newtonian Free Surface Flows
- Landslide Generated Wave (LGW) Assessments
- Fluvial Scour and Erosion Processes
- River Engineering
- Complex Hydraulic Structures
- Near- and Far-Field Coastal Hydrodynamics
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
- Executing R&D Initiatives
Dr. Simone Durney
Ecologist
Dr. Simone Durney is a quantitative ecologist who supports mine geochemistry and permitting through ecological risk assessments, statistical modeling, and reclamation planning. She specializes in analyzing complex biogeochemical and microbial datasets related to water chemistry variability in mine systems. Simone has contributed to geochemical evaluations at facilities in Nevada, Montana, California, and Canada, applying multivariate statistics to examine microbial community dynamics in saturated rock fill and biochemical reactor systems. Her rigorous, ethical approach ensures high-quality science translates into practical mine water solutions.
Technical Expertise
- Ecological Risk Assessments Project
- Management Reclamation Planning
- Quantitative Ecology through Statistical Analyses in R
- Population Ecology
- Community Ecology
- Vegetation Surveying
- Pollinator Surveying
Eugene Ngwenya, P.Eng
Principal Engineer
Eugene Ngwenya has more than 25 years of experience in water resources engineering, hydrology, infrastructure planning, and environmental assessments. His career spans technical leadership roles on high-profile mining, energy, and industrial infrastructure projects in North America, South America, the UK, the Middle East, and Africa. Eugene brings a unique combination of technical depth and project management skills, with proven success in designing complex surface water systems, conducting flood and hydrology modeling, water balance assessments, interfacing with multidisciplinary teams, as well as navigating environmental permitting processes.
Technical Expertise
- Flood and Hydrological Modeling
- Surface Water System Design
- Water Balance Assessments
- Environmental Permitting
- Project Management
Seth Kenner, PE, CFM
Senior Water Resources Engineer
Seth Kenner has 10 years of experience developing HSPF watershed models and TMDLs for mining operations across South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, and Iowa. He's a MathWorks Certified MATLAB Associate who has developed custom tools for automated data processing, statistical analysis, and BMP optimization. Seth created the Scenario Application Manager (SAM), the decision support tool that transforms complex watershed models into operator-friendly interfaces for mine water planning. His expertise in hydrologic modeling, selenium fate and transport, and cost-effectiveness analysis helps mines make data-driven decisions about water management investments.
Technical Expertise
- Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling
- Data Processing, Statistical Analyses, and Software Development
- Geospatial Analyses
- TMDL Development and Calculations
Cindie Kirby, EIT
Staff Engineer
Cindie Kirby has 15 years of experience developing HSPF hydrology and water quality models for mining watersheds across Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Colorado. She's written over 80 TMDLs and modeled everything from bacteria and temperature to dissolved oxygen, sediment, nutrients, and selenium. Cindie excels at translating complex watershed modeling into practical implementation plans that help mines meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Her work includes site-specific criteria development for sediment and conductivity, ensuring mines can demonstrate compliance with confidence.
Technical Expertise
- TMDL Development
- HSPF Surface Water Modeling
- Surface Water Quality Data Collection and Analysis
- GIS Application
Mario DiPasquale, PE
Vice President
Mario DiPasquale brings 18 years of civil engineering experience focused on municipal water and wastewater systems, with recent specialization in Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) treatment for mining-affected communities. He managed the design and construction of the first full-scale ion exchange water filtration system in the U.S. to remove Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) from municipal drinking water. Mario is technically proficient in water treatment design, distribution system modeling, pump station design, and groundwater well construction. His work ensures mining operations and surrounding communities have access to safe, compliant drinking water even in the face of emerging contaminants.
Technical Expertise
- Project Management
- Master Planning
- Water Treatment
- Hydraulic Modeling
- Lift Station and Pumping System Design
- Transmission and Distribution System Design
- Sanitary Sewer Collection Design
- Water Facility Storage Design
- Deep Well and Alluvial Well Design
Lee Rosen, PE, CFM
Vice President
Lee Rosen has 13 years of experience in stormwater infrastructure, stream restoration, and water quality design for mining and municipal projects. He's developed plans, specifications, and cost estimates for numerous government projects involving hydraulic and hydrologic analyses, bridge scour, floodplain modeling, and channel stabilization. Lee excels at navigating complex regulatory environments, having secured FEMA Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMRs) and Letters of Map Revision (LOMRs), individual 404 permits, and floodplain approvals for challenging mine water projects. His expertise ensures mining operations meet Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) requirements while protecting infrastructure and minimizing long-term water management costs.
Technical Expertise
- Hydrology and Hydraulics
- Floodplain Analyses
- Water Quality BMP Design
- Stream Restoration
- Channel Stabilization
- Transportation Drainage
- Bridge Scour
- Trail Design
- Sediment and Erosion Control
- Design and Construction Plans
- Specification Development
- Bid-Phase Services
Dean Ritts, PE
Director, Environmental Engineering
Dean Ritts is a highly skilled environmental engineer with more than 30 years of experience in industrial wastewater treatment, air quality management, and sustainable design. As a Certified Energy Manager and LEED-accredited professional, Dean uniquely focuses on integrating sustainability and decarbonization into environmental engineering. His projects often incorporate zero-water impact strategies, pollution prevention, and compliance with corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. Ritts has advised a wide range of clients, from the power and oil sectors to food and beverage industries, delivering solutions that reduce environmental impact and meet strict regulatory standards.
Technical Expertise
- Environmental Engineering
- Sustainable Engineering
- Industrial Wastewater Treatment
- Wastewater Treatment Modeling
- Wastewater Permitting
- Air Toxics Release Modeling from Wastewater Treatment Plants
- Hazardous Waste Management
- Environmental Regulatory Compliance for Industrial Facilities
- Environmental Compliance Audits
About RESPEC
1969
Established in South Dakota
Offices in the U.S. and Canada
Employees
Employee-Owned
2024 Gross Revenue
Experience you can trust.
From remote communities to major hubs, solving complex problems takes the right team. RESPEC brings together engineers, scientists, and technology experts to tackle challenges that shape industries and communities. Whether it’s managing resources, improving infrastructure, or solving regulatory hurdles, we work with you to find answers that last.
