Approved Site Investigations Ltd

We specialise in land contamination risk assessments, soil & water analysis & ground investigations

Approved Site Investigations Ltd, or better known to our clients as ASI, is committed to delivering a professional and friendly service that is directly related to Cornwall's historic mining past and today's present industrial contamination problems.
With Cornish mining experience and staff qualified at the Camborne School of Mines, you can be assured of our advice and guidance in all aspects of your current site/home development. Liaising with the local Councils Planning & Environmental departments, we can direct you throughout the various stages of your development.

Our rates are extremely competitive and from local council to large scale developers and private home owners alike, we deliver concise, factual reports which propose solutions to your current problem.

Our list of useful contacts is comprehensive, and having used most of who is available in the market place, we can help you on where to go for other related services. Again this helps to make the process easier for you and gives you confidence in choosing additional professionals for the work.

Mine Search Reports
ASI can arrange Desktop Mining Reports for properties throughout the South West. Sometimes these are referred to as Metalliferous reports or Mine Search reports.

A mine search is an ‘historic mining’ risk assessment to determine the presence of any possible mine workings within the site bounds, that could affect the surface elevation through subsidence, in general for the purpose of property conveyance. Subsidence can be caused through the presence of near surface mining excavations that can slump or collapse, causing structural damage to dwellings and surrounding land.

Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 Contaminated Land Reports
Phase 1 - The Phase 1 contaminated land survey is designed to give an overview of the risks of contamination to end users and the immediate environment. The report includes a walkover survey and a detailed study of the site history and current setting. The report should be submitted to the relevant Local Authority for assessment prior to any further investigations/analysis taking place on the property. Following submission, further reports/investigations may be required in order to safely develop the property.

Phase 2 - Further reporting on a site with potential problems should be in the form of a Phase 2 Site Investigation Report. Should this demonstrate that the site is not contaminated then no further works will be required. If the Phase 2 report demonstrates that the site is contaminated, further reporting and additional testing may be required by the Local Authority and possibly the Environment Agency, before the site development can progress.

Phase 3 - On completion of all Phase 2 on-site testing works and in conjunction with confirmation of the final site layout, a Phase 3 Remediation Strategy Report should be completed to demonstrate how the site can be safely developed in respect of the end users. This will detail the methods to deal with each risk in respect of the property development.

Phase 4 - Following acceptance of the Phase 3 report by the appropriate Authority, a Phase 4 Verification Report will then be required as the final report. This will be issued upon completion of the development works in order to prove that the Phase 3 recommendations have been carried out satisfactorily.

Soil & Water Analysis Reports
ASI UK offers comprehensive analysis and reporting for soil and water. This can be as part of a Phase 2 report or as specific testing from a single sample up to multiple samples for large, complex sites.

Detailed reports are produced with site maps, interpretation and recommendations.

Trenching Investigations
New development plots are often investigated for old mine workings by excavating a series of trenches across the site, under the supervision of a Mining Geologist.

These are often carried out with the use of large 'JCB' digging machines to expose any potential ground features which may be problematic.

Drilling Investigations
Where an existing property is deemed to be at risk from subsidence due to old mine workings, the usual and most efficient method of assessment is by rotary percussive drilling. A series of inclined holes are drilled beneath the property to check for voids or backfilled mine workings.

If any mine workings are found, the next stage would be to assess the risk with an appropriate Chartered Buildings Professional (e.g. a Chartered Structural/Civil Engineer). Occasionally additional drilling may be required.

Footings Inspections
Local authorities will sometimes require that a client carries out an inspection of the foundation trenches prior to building works commencing.