Mining

When the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) gathers for its 66th annual conference and exhibition, and the 11th in conjunction with the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH/CNC) Groundwater Conference, it...

The 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics (10 ICG) is building a considerable amount of support, and in a true show of its international character the organizers have shifted the...

The first 2013 issue of the International Geosynthetics Society's IGS News has been published. This issue features a look ahead to this year's GeoAfrica 2013 (Accra, Ghana, 18-20 November 2013),...

Durante los días 5 y 6 de Noviembre de 2013, Sevilla será la sede del Congreso Geosintec Iberia1, organizado por el Capítulo Español de la International Geosynthetics Society (IGS)...

The March 2013 issue of Geofabrics Journal profiles separation geotextiles, erosion control, and revegetation during Victoria's (Australia) key Peninsula Link project. Also of importance in the issue are articles...

25 March 2013 – Varennes, QC – Solmax, positioned among the top three worldwide leaders in the manufacturing of geomembranes, introduces its WHITE GEOMEMBRANE SERIES—a product with the particularity of...

One from the archives: ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics' March 2013 announcement of a direct shear-related revised test for geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) has us recalling Geosynthetica's May 2011...

When CQA professionals gather in Austin, Texas during CQA Week (April 29 - May 3), those who take part in the liner integrity survey/assessment (LISA) training (April 29 - 30) will discover a number of interesting updates to this event. Now in its 9th year of training events, the TRI Environmental CQA Week LISA education will feature rebuilt test pads for the hands-on field training portion of the event. A larger soil-covered test pad is part of the redesign. Further, the event will feature the new 2000 series equipment, a double-dipole arrangement that produces multi-directional 3D voltage mapping. Separate cells for the water lance and water puddle will be included, and new equipment for the water dipole survey will be utilized. Equipment will be available for purchase or project-specific rental. In addition, TRI will be adding a trouble-shooting session in the class, including a bench-scale site to highlight conditions that impair survey sensitivity and give false positive signals. Learn more.

GeoAfrica 2013 will be held 18-20 November 2013 in Accra, Ghana (NY Times' #4 place to visit in 2013). This event will be the Second IGS Regional Conference on Geosynthetics in Africa. Attendees interested in transportation, mining, water and waste management are all certain to be on site for this event. Abstracts in English not exceeding 400 words should be submitted by email to Technical@GeoAfrica2013.com not later than 31 March 2013.

The 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics (10 ICG) will be held 21-24 September 2014 in Berlin, Germany. This quadrennial conference from the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) will be hosted by the IGS Germany chapter and co-located with the German Geotechnical Society 2014 conference. Abstracts are invited through 15 May 2013. Learn more and upload your abstract via the online submission system.

GSE Environmental has published a new brochure for its innovative Leak Location Liner. These HDPE and LLDPE geomembranes are manufactured with a co-extruded conductive layer, which allows for quick and thorough leak detection on both exposed and covered applications by using Electrical Liner Integrity (ELI) surveys. Leak Location Liners are designed for use in applications that require the most stringent environmental safeguards, such as Mining, Landfills, Power Generation, and Waste Water Treatment. Download a copy of the new document here.

ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has announced the approval of a new standard: D7852 - Standard Practice for Use of an Electrically Conductive Geotextile for Leak Location Surveys. Developed by Committee D35.10 (Subcommittee on Geomembranes), the scope aims for the standard to be "applicable to all types of geoelectric surveys when there is otherwise not a conductive layer under the geomembrane." Learn more here.;

Tensar has launched a new website with easy-to-navigate access to geogrid products and systems, project case studies, industry white papers, product literature and more. Search by application, system or market sector to learn how Tensar's wide range of geogrid products, systems and applications can benefit your next project. Registered users can take advantage of SP4 PRO, Dimension Solution and other valuable Tensar software too. Register by February 28 and be entered in a drawing to win 1 of 5 iPads.

In March, two more "Designing and Constructing Lining Systems" workshops featuring expert insight from Dr. R. Kerry Rowe (and extensive research being carried out at Queen's University) have been announced. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited. Sponsorship from terrafix and Brock White has enabled these sessions to be offered for only a nominal registration fee of $20 per attendee. On March 20, a special session will be held in Saskatoon. On March 21, the session will be held in Edmonton. Topics include all aspects of barrier system design, including leachate collection, natural barriers, clay liners, geosynthetic clay liners, geomembranes, and composite liners. Additional instruction from Dave Fuerth and Bruno Herlin. Contact Yvette Kohlmann, ykohlmann@terrafixgeo.com, +1 416 674 0363 x 274 to register. LIMITED SPACE. Register by March 1. Sponsored by terrafix and Brock White.

TRI Environmental and TRI Australasia will hold the next CQA Week Training events 18-21 March 2013 in Perth, Western Australia at the offices of Engineers Australia. Key education focuses on Construction QA/QC for Geosynthetic Installations and Compacted Clay Liner and GCL Installation, Liner Integrity Survey/Assessment Training, and an opportunity to sit for the Geosynthetic Institute's Inspector Certification Program exam.

Dr Ian D. Peggs and I-CORP INTERNATIONAL have been contracted by Leighton Contractors in Australia to provide technical support and guidance for the installation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) double lining systems in about 14 production water and related ponds at the Condabri and Reedy Creek coal seam gas plants presently being built in Queensland, Australia. The plants are owned by Australia Pacific LNG, a joint venture of Origin, Conoco-Phillips, and Sinopec. This I-CORP/Leighton Contractors cooperation arose from a previous project in which I-CORP provided expert witness support to Leighton Contractors for concrete protection liner failures in SX/EW mixers/settlers at the Gunpowder mine near Mt. Isa in Queensland.

GSE Holding, Inc. has announced its acquisition of all of the equity interests of SynTec, LLC, a Baltimore, Maryland-based manufacturer of geosynthetics that complement GSE's well-known containment geosynthetics. SynTec has revenues of approximately $20 million. Co-Founders Giovanni Capra and Aigen Zhao, both of whom are veterans of the field, will remain with GSE after the acquisition.

When former Florida governor Charlie Crist toured a geosynthetic-lined site, he chose the perfect day to learn about geosynthetics: JP Giroud and Ian Peggs, two of the most experienced geosynthetic lining system experts in the world, happened to be there.

The International Geosynthetics Society (www.geosyntheticssociety.org) has announced its selection of Prof. Richard J. Bathurst, P.Eng., Ph.D., FEIC, FCAE, to deliver the 2014 Giroud Lecture—one of the Society's highest distinctions. Since its first awarding in 1998, the Giroud Lecture has recognized exceptional achievement and influence in the field of geosynthetics and has been delivered every four years at the opening of the International Conferences on Geosynthetics, organized by the IGS. Dr. Bathurst is only the fifth to be bestowed this honor and will present the lecture at the opening of the 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics (10 ICG), Berlin, Germany, 21–25 September 2014. Learn more.

A new, patent pending capping system called LiteEarth™ launched at the international Waterproof Membranes Conference in Dusseldorf, Germany. The system features a single-ply composite of synthetic grass fused with EPDM geomembrane to produce a flexible, durable, one of a kind product for a wide range of permanent closures.

Solmax, one of the world's largest manufacturers of geomembranes, is currently part of a Canada Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) trade mission to Nigeria and Ghana. The company, along with other Canadian firms across multiple sectors, is traveling with the honorable Minister Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

As reported two weeks ago, organizers for GéoMontréal 2013 have extended the deadline for submission of abstracts to February 1. All interested participants in this event are strongly encouraged to submit their abstracts immediately. The conference will be held at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada 29 September – 3 October 2013. Organized by the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) in collaboration with the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH/CNC) and the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), GeoMontreal provides an exceptional opportunity to interact with the entire North American geotechnical community. The geosynthetics field should play a strong role in this 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference. The theme "Geoscience for Sustainability" ties in with much of the current research and marketing of geosynthetic materials.

In a 21 January 2013 letter to its business partners, Tensar International Corporation has announced a price increase of 8% for its biaxial and TriAx® geogrids. Writing for the company, Dean Ditmar, Vice President and General Manager, notes that the sharp rise in raw material costs, primarily in regards to polypropylene resins and additives, has necessitated the move. "We will continue to pursue all options to manage our costs and minimize the need for future price increases," Ditmar writes. Download a copy of the letter (PDF)

Design/Build interests continue to fuel acquisitions in the geotechnical engineering field. Golder Associates Inc., the US subsidiary of global engineering and environmental services organization Golder Associates, announced recently its acquisition of the assets of geo-environmental contracting company InterGEO Services, Inc. This enhances Golder's design/build offerings in the geo-environmental industry in areas that already align well with Golder's core practice including linings and geosynthetic materials, ground improvement, mechanically stabilized earth, and sediment remediation.

Organizers for GéoMontréal 2013 have announced that the deadline for submission of abstracts has been extended to February 1. The conference will be held at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada 29 September - 3 October 2013. Organized by the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) in collaboration with the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH/CNC) and the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), GeoMontreal provides an exceptional opportunity to interact with the North American geotechnical community. The geosynthetics field should play a strong role in this 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, with the theme "Geoscience for Sustainability." Learn more on the event website. Learn more here.;