Containment

Atlantic Poly Liners Inc. has been awarded a CAD $1.2 million contract for the supply of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane liner. The liner will be used for a multi-mine waste rock capping project. The 20-year-old company is well-involved in installation and supply of geosynthetics, though for this particular project the company reports that it will not be involved on the installation side. Learn more here.;

The Associated Press reports that Idaho-based Hecla Mining Co. pay $102,000 in penalties following a spill of mine tailings at a zinc and lead facility near Mullan, Idaho. More than 22,000 gallons of hazardous material was released. Of greatest concern in the incident is the roughly 900 gallons of liquid mill tailings that spilled into the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River during a heavy storm in 2006. That accident occurred at the ironically named Lucky Friday Mine. The company has taken numerous steps to correct these matters and prevent them from being repeated. Learn more here.;

The newly constructed Arkun Dam hydropower facility on the Çoruh River (Turkey) would have been considerably more expensive if conventional concrete walls were used along the edges of the power station. NAUE Geosynthetics profiles the project and the reinforced earth option that was selected and which saved 40% on the cost for this portion of the project.

Ian Peggs writes from Dubai: "Day 2, now, from Dubai and SKZ's 2nd International Conference on Geosynthetics Middle East. About 85 registrants in total are here. A couple of geosynthetica underwriters spoke early on with Oliver Detert (Huesker) presenting interesting research test data on geogrid-reinforced bridge abutments Ivica Ducik of Colbond discussing interesting multifunction applications of Enkamat S-based composites with a primary function of sound and vibration control." Read more.

A "floating-geotextile mat" has been selected to be the first wetland-based filtering system for the Rangitikei District Council's wastewater treatment plant in Marton, New Zealand. Since only one company provides the system in New Zealand, the project will not go to tender. It is expected to cost roughly $500,000. It replaces a mechanical oxygen input system and is thought will save $40,000 per year in operations cost. Learn more here.;

Agru America's new plant in Fernley, Nevada is in the news. The company, which manufactures geomembranes and geocomposites, is seeking an economic development credit. Fernley was the site of a major canal breach not long ago, but even before that the community was in need of new employers. Learn more here.;

After the success of the previous event, AMI's two focused plastics pipes conferences will again run consecutively in February 2011 at the Maritim Hotel in Düsseldorf, Germany. The technical programme runs over 3 days from 22-24 February. Sewerage & Drainage Pipes 2011 from 22-23 February 2011 and Plastic Pressure Pipes 2011 takes place from 23-24 February 2011.

Geotechnial and geosynthetics materials manufacturer Maccaferri Inc. USA has announced the addition of Orion Graham as Vice President of Sales for the American operations. Mr. Graham brings more than...

Due to the requests from presenters to extend the abstract submission deadline, the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has extended its deadline another two weeks. The abstract submission deadline...

The Australian Antarctic Division has been involved in exceptional soil remediation works at Casey Station. Fuel spills have occurred at the site over the years. Very large volumes of...

In the most recent newsletter from the Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA), Maccaferri's Edoardo Zannoni (who chairs GIGSA's subcomittee on specifications) writes on the role of ISO in harmonizing international terminology and cross-border understanding of geosynthetics. Zannoni notes that the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has established multiple committees to bring South Africa's standards practices with geosynthetics in line with ISO. We reprint Mr. Zannoni's article by permission of GIGSA here.

Reminder: the deadline for getting the best rate on Waterproof Membranes 2015 is May 15! This annual event, organized by Applied Market Information (AMI) in Europe, draws an international audience...

EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW) has released a new 11-minute video, "Building Green: A Success Story in Philadelphia." The video features numerous short interviews and showcases green building methods being implemented around Philadelphia, such as green roofs, porous pavers for infiltration, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, reducing stormwater runoff, and much more. Learn more here.;

Waterproof Membranes 2008 is underway. It's the second in what is anticipated to be a longer-term series organized by Applied Market Information (AMI). And there was something about the program for Waterproof Membranes 2008 that really caught our eye. Key subjects this year include green roofing, sustainability, membrane durability and geotechnical applications. Others in the geosynthetics industry and related construction industries have seen this too, as our first night at the event revealed. Read the report from the opening night's reception. Learn more here.;

IECA's Career Center has joined the Environmental and Engineering Vertical Networks aimed to increase exposure of job placement ads purchased by IECA members and to grow the pool of jobs available for IECA members to explore. Job Target, who manages IECA's Career Center, offers 85 Vertical Networks covering a wide-array of industries and specialties. The Networks provide an easy, cost-effective way to get more eyes on job ads by posting a job using the new Network products. IECA members who purchase a Network product will gain exposure on 14 Environmental Network sites. Learn more.

The 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics (9ICG) will provide an opportunity to learn about and discuss highly technical and scientific geosynthetics issues and their solutions. A primary objective of the conference is to present the most recent developments, improvements and new technologies from the international geosynthetics community. This quadrenniel event from the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) is a must-attend for its short courses, keynotes and networking. Learn more about the conference and register today. Learn more here.;

Abu Dhabi's National Marine Dredging Co or NMDC, said Monday it won a 1.5 billion U.A.E. dirham ($408.7 million) contract to build a 63.5-kilometer canal in the U.A.E.'s largest emirate. The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, or UPC, awarded NMDC the contract to construct Mussafah canal, which will play an important role in the development of Mussafah Industrial City. Learn more here.;

The 185-mile-long, historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal--more familiarly known as the C&O Canal--was compeleted in 1850 and served as a major transport corridor for goods such as lumber and grain. Today, it is a national park surrounded by more than 12,000 acres of land. Not long ago, a towpath began to fail when drainage pipe broke. The saturated slope gave way and exposed a main water line for Arlington County, Virginia. Repair of the slope was key both for the preservation of this historic canal and for the safety of Arlington's water supply. Maccaferri's Green Terramesh® system was selected to provide slope stability and vegetation for the natural look park patrons and officials seek along the C&O. Construction was quick, economical and effective. Read Pino Cignarella's case study.

The 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics (9ICG) is offering its very early-bird registration rate through 30 September 2009. Add to it the early booking discount for hotel, and those who take advantage of registering now will save more than $700. The 9ICG will be held 23-27 May 2010 in Guaruja, São Paulo, Brazil, under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). Please register as soon as possible. Learn more here.;

BTL has posted a video on its website of the Muscle Wall system for flood control, oil and gas containment, stormwater management, dewatering and other applications. Constructed on interlocking, stackable units of lightweight low-density polyethylene, the Muscle Wall barricades can be quickly set into place--even floated into place. Flexible liners can be draped over the walls for various containment sceneraios. View the video online. Learn more here.;

AGRU America continues its series of geosynthetic engineering webinars on November 16 at 12:00 EST. This new geomembranes and geosynthetic cover and containment systems webinar will address a range...

Landfilling in Escambia County, Florida is difficult for both space and cost reasons. Plans are now in place to begin "mining" a 20 to 25-year-old landfill and reuse the space created for more waste disposal. Roughly 77% of the old space is soil, they estimate. That soil will be tested and reused in future covers. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetic barriers perform exceptionally well in liquid containment applications, but gas barrier performance can still be improved. Volatile organic compounds, for example, can diffuse through barrier systems. The rate...

Ten years ago, the first of Poland's Special Economic Zone permits were issued. These permits enable investors to launch businesses, apply for certain support, etc., but also under strict business transparency and conduct regulations. Panto Poland Engineering in the Lodz SEZ has just become the 101st SEZ permit. The article about Panto's achievement also notes the interesting fact that CETCO Poland was the first SEZ permit recipient. The company continues operating strongly in Poland and elsewhere in the world. Learn more here.;

The National Association of County Engineers (NACE) will hold its 2011 conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 17-21 April 2011. As the event comes to the North Star state, it will operate under an appropriate theme: "Guiding with Vision." One of the most intriguing sessions that will be held, particularly from the perspective of the geosynthetics fields. One of the key sessions will focus on geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) bridge abutments. These GRS construction approaches have been economical and fast to construct. They abutments themselves have performed wonderfully, and these successes are helping transform the practice.