Mining

TenCate Geosynthetics is reporting strong global performance of approximately 15% organic sales growth, led by new products and a focus on sustainability and environmental protection. Soil stabilization and soil reinforcement solutions have been key to this growth. For products such as TenCate Geotube® and TenCate GeoDetect™, the company sees growing interest stemming from their CO2-friendly, sustainable environmental approach and the utilization of leakage, erosion control and deformation detection systems.

ASTM International Committee D18 on Soil and Rock has revised D6459, "Standard Test Method for Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Hillslopes from Rainfall-Induced Erosion." This test method is a performance test, but can be used for quality control to determine product conformance to project specifications. Caution is advised since information regarding laboratory specific precision is incomplete. For project specific conformance, unique project-specific conditions should be taken into consideration. Learn more here.;

TenCate Geosynthetics North America has developed a patented, woven geosynthetic for soil stabilization and base course reinforcement applications when differential settlement occurs due to heaving in the subgrade soils. TenCate Mirafi® H2Ri is a wicking geosynthetic created from high-tenacity polypropylene filaments and wicking filaments formed into an innovative weave to provide superior reinforcement strength and soil interaction integrated with high soil retention and wicking capabilities. Read more in the release.

The bienniel Geosynthetics conference series continues 1-4 April 2013 in Long Beach, California. This event will be co-located with the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) annual Southwest Geotechnical Engineers Conference and the Geosynthetic Institute's (GSI) 25th Geosynthetic Research Institute conference (GRI–25). Geosynthetics 2013 has issued a call for proposals for short courses, panel discussions, and technical papers. Deadline for submission: 1 February 2012.

Tech 5® and Tech 10® Geomembranes from Plastatech Engineering Ltd are a key part of the PlastaFlex geomembrane product line. These geomembranes help shield the environment against harsh chemicals and other pollutants commonly found in landfills, reservoirs, chemical processing plants, refineries, manufacturing facilities, and water treatment operations. Learn more. Download the specification sheet for these products here (PDF). Learn more here.;

Tensar International Corporation, a leader in geosynthetic soil reinforcement and stabilization, has announced the launch of the new SpectraPave mobile application. The SpectraPave mobile application allows users in the field to quickly and accurately determine aggregate savings with the use of TriAx® Geogrid (TX140/TX160) for subgrade stabilization projects. The SpectraPave mobile application can be accessed with Internet connected devices on demand, at any time and from anywhere in the world. Read more.

GSE Lining Technologies, a manufacturer of geosynthetic barrier materials such as high-density polyethylene geomembranes, has received approval from Williamsburg County, South Carolina to expand its Kingstree facility. The company's planned $3.5 million investment is expected to add 20 jobs. This is the third expansion for GSE in Kingstree since opening the facility in 2000. Learn more here.;

Eighteen people attended the 14-15 November geoelectric Liner Integrity Survey and Assessment course at the TRI campus in Austin, Texas. Organized by TRI/Environmental and I-CORP INTERNATIONAL (as the TRI-CORP Liner Integrity Center [T-CLIC]), this gathering marked the 17th course since 2004. In total, ~250 people have taken part in this unique training and education program, including registrants from England, Australia, Chile, Canada, and Brazil. Read more.

A number of calls are closing shortly, as conference technical committees and companies finalize their 2012 agendas. In our latest update we look at five of them: EuroGeo 5 (November 30), Global Waste Management Symposium (December 1), World Bioenergy 2012 (December 1), Environmental Connection (December 16), and GeoManitoba 2012 (January 15).

Titan Environmental Containment has announced it will now offer HUESKER's Canal3 Geocomposite Liner products. Canal³® is a unique geosynthetic barrier solution that combines containment and protection in a single material. A geosynthetic barrier layer is encapsulated between exceptionally durable nonwoven geotextiles. It's an easy, reliable and cost-effective canal lining solution. Learn more. Learn more here.;

In its 3Q statement, Pacific Gold Corp. reports on its progress at Black Rock Canyon Mine in Nevada, where geotextile tube changes and approval and new liner requirements have slowed production.

The Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia wanted to convert an unusable plot of land into a much needed drill field and shooting range complex. The site presented several challenges due to the changing grades and extensive rock blasting and fill areas. The retaining walls were built on a crushed gravel leveling pad and reached 34 feet high, extending over a quarter mile long, and holding up over 100,000 cubic yards of fill. The walls were used to create a level 6-acre field. To reinforce the land, Stratagrid SG200 and SG350 soil reinforcement was placed in embedment lengths of 22 feet behind nearly 50,000 square feet of block wall. The geogrid was placed on every other course with 2-inch minus crushed rock used for reinforced backfill.

Conway Resources Inc. ("Conway" or the "Corporation") (TSXV: CWY) is pleased to announce that development work at the Belleterre Mine is progressing well. The Corporation has finished installing the geomembranes in the two holding ponds that will be used to dewater the mine. It will now proceed with installation of fences to secure pond access, followed by the filtration plant in early December.

In 2003, the North American Geosynthetics Society's (NAGS) Award of Merit authorized research into the Use of Geosynthetics in Mining and Mineral Processing Industry. The Final Report that resulted from this research was submitted to NAGS in 2007. Recently, new requests for this research have come in. NAGS has shared the Executive Summary from that study. The full report is available for purchase ($50, CD) through NAGS. Contact Executive Director David Suits for more information: Nagsdirector@aol.com.

Raven Industries Engineered Films Division announces the installation and start up of newest blown sheet line; the world’s largest seven-layer barrier system. Raven is well known for innovative manufacturing technologies along with a comprehensive range of production capabilities and is the first to install a system of this magnitude in barrier technology. Raven has worked extensively over the past 18 months alongside industry experts Davis Standard LLC during the planning, design, and development of this highly complex engineered equipment. Raven's new line is capable of processing the widest and thickest (EVOH, Nylon) barrier structures available in the industry today, producing films up to 32 feet in circumference and sheeting up to 80 mils thick with optional surface texturing available. This machine houses a unique 60-inch diameter, seven-layer Centrex die manufactured with the latest extrusion technology and engineered to provide maximum versatility utilizing seven individual extruders for the production of barrier sheeting.

ASTM International's Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has released a new standard, ASTM D7703, Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed Geomembranes Using the Water Lance System. The practice standardizes a geoelectric method used to detect potential leaks in exposed electrically isolating membranes in the field in containment applications. The Committee's first vice chairman, Tim Bauters, P.E., Ph.D., says "... pinpointing of leaks can prevent costly site closures, delayed permitting/opening and, in the worst case, cleanup costs."

The 5th European Conference on Geosynthetics (EuroGeo 5) will be held 16-19 September 2012 in Valencia, Spain. The Spanish Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) will organize it, and the event will be held under the auspices of the IGS. Authors interested in presenting a paper at the Conference must provide an abstract before 30 November 2011, addressed to the Conference Secretariat, through the Conference website. Abstracts received by fax or mail will not be considered. Abstracts must be written in either English or Spanish. View the event brochure.

International manufacturer of geosynthetics, synthetic turf and other materials TenCate has released its financial performance report for the first nine months of 2011. According to the statement, geosynthetics sales showed "a positive trend on all continents." The relative proportion of sales in South America and Asia rose, while Emas Kiara was integrated within TenCate Geosynthetics Asia.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its final research plan on hydraulic fracturing. At the request of Congress, EPA is working to better understand potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. Natural gas plays a key role in our nation's clean energy future and the Obama Administration is committed to ensuring that we continue to leverage this vital resource responsibly.

Recently, Pennsylvania State Senator Judy Schwank visited East Coast Erosion Control in Bernville, Pennsylvania to learn about the company's business and the products that provide erosion and sediment control. Pennsylvania possesses both one of the United States' most highly sought energy potential as well as a legacy of environmental struggle due to mismanaged mining and resource extraction controls. Sen. Schwank has been influential in her state's environmental policy discussions. Materials such as East Coast produces are being utilized now to make the current energy tapping and resource extraction boom both economically successful and environmentally sound. Read the release from East Coast.

On his recent trip to Abu Dhabi, where he attended (and spoke at) the 4th Geosynthetics Middle East conference, Ian Peggs learned not only that a Canadian passport will not get you a visa to the UAE but that the constraints and barriers to geosynthetics continue to drop and understanding continues to grow. It's all part of an international dialogue. Read his latest contribution from the field.

The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City-sponsored Geosynthetics (environment-friendly materials) Middle East Conference 2011 got to a great start today in Abu Dhabi featuring participation of an elite panel of regional and global roads and infrastructure experts. The event, which runs for two days, is organized by German Plastics Centre SKZ in collaboration with the German Chamber of Commerce with the aim of promoting the commitment to a sustained and environment-friendly infrastructure. During the Conference, the Municipal Infrastructure and Assets Sector at the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City presented a working paper highlighting the key road and infrastructure projects undertaken by the Municipality in the past.

ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has announced a new standard: D7701, "Standard Test Method for Determining the Flow Rate of Water and Suspended Solids from a Geotextile Bag." In the "Significance and Use" section on D35's page, the committee notes, "This test method may be used as an aid to design geotextile container systems that contain fine-grained, high water content slurries such as dredged materials to meet special environmental or operational requirements. This test is often used to demonstrate the efficacy of geotextile dewatering to regulatory agencies in determining the amount of dredged material sediment passing through a geotextile and the flow rate for specific high water content materials." Learn more here.;

Papers are invited for Current and Future Practices for the Testing of Multi-Component Geosynthetic Clay Liners - Third Symposium to be held Friday, 29 June 2012. Sponsored by ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics, the symposium will be held at the Sheraton San Diego in San Diego, California in conjunction with the June standards development meetings of Committee. Topics of the symposium include: Mechanical testing; Peel and Shear Behavior; Hydraulic Testing; Durability of multi-component; Field Performance; and Research Studies. Learn more and submit abstracts online.

ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has announced a new work item: WK34962, "New Guide for Limitations with the different Techniques for Electrical Detection of Potential Leaks Paths in Geomembranes." In the scope statement, the committee notes, "This standard guide is intended to assist and educate individuals or groups in assessing the limitations of the different options available for locating potential leaks paths in installed geomembranes through the use of electrical methods. Guide is needed since there is a lot of misunderstanding in the industry what the electrical leak location surveys can provide." Learn more here.;