The Member Firm provided field support for a mining client drilling two holes to characterize the subsurface and install instrumentation. After installation, the instrumentation was found to be partially blocked and not usable. Conflicting proposal, contract, and legislative language – particularly around the term “supervisor” – contributed to unclear roles and responsibilities, and a claim from the client for compensation from the Member Firm. A geoprofessional member of the client’s senior management (with prior experience in consulting) worked with Member Firm senior management to settle the claim with a compromise.

Casing , Contractual meaning , Drilling , Glue , Instrumentation , joint , Mining site , observe , monitor , procurement representative , professional liability , slope inclinometers , supervise , vibrating wire piezometers