Mining

At a Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) Workshop held on 1 April 2010, representatives from about 20 member organizations suggested the need for a program to help reduce the number of mechnically stabilized earth (MSE) wall, berm and slope failures. Our current database in this regard is well over 100 such failures. While inadequate design and construction were the root causes of these failures (both excessive deformation and/or actual collapse), both could have been avoided, or at least mitigated, by proper construction inspection. This two-way orientation by field inspectors (notification of design anomalies and correction of contractors errors) should help stem the failures of these structures going forward. Read more.

American Environmental Group Ltd. (AEG) announces the hiring of Chuck Van Houten to AEG's Geosynthetic Project Management group. An industry veteran, Chuck adds another 16 years of geosynthetics experience to AEG's core expert staff. Chuck will be working out of AEG's Houston office location. Read more.

"Geotextile Tubes: Coastal, Structural and Dewatering Design and Applications" will be held on the University of Delaware Campus 3-5 October 2011. This training opportunity presents the theory behind the use of geotextile tubes in both structural and dewatering applications, along with the latest developments in the industry and applications. An introduction to to GeoCoPS design software is included. Instructors: Dov Leshchinsky and Doug Gaffney. Up to 1.8 CEUs or 18 PDHs may be awarded for full participation. Learn more here.;

In May 2010, TenCate Geosynthetics North America introduced TenCate Mirafi® RS580i, a highly engineered, high strength, geosynthetic product for base reinforcement and subgrade stabilization. Today, TenCate Geosynthetics introduces TenCate Mirafi® RS380i, a lighter RS-Series product that will enable designers to continue to provide more economical solutions for roadway reinforcement applications.

Following a comprehensive relaunch, the RENOLIT company website is now online. The manufacturer of high-quality plastic films and products has now merged all existing websites in a standardized platform on www.renolit.com. The new structure of the company's website is now better aligned to the diverse application areas of RENOLIT products. It replaces the former alignment to business areas and greatly simplifies the search for information.

Royal Ten Cate has released its financial results for the first half of 2011. Overall, the company is performing well, despite rising raw material costs--posting a 69% increase in profit over the same period last year. The company foresees growth for the geosynthetics division in Asia and South America currently and going forward. Read select highlights, comments and a review of the Geosynthetics and Grass Division performance here.

Sweden-based Trelleborg manufacturers waterproof membranes, among many other materials. In the latest financial report, the company president Peter Nilsson notes: "Demand during the quarter remained favorable in most segments. We are continuing to enhance our market positions. Growth was highly satisfactory, notably in China and India. Organic sales rose 13 percent. Operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability, increased to SEK 751 M, with the EBITDA margin exceeding our financial target and totaling 12.8 percent." Read more.

Tensar International Corporation, the leader in geosynthetic soil reinforcement and stabilization, today announced it appointed Bryan Gee as Roadway Systems Product Manager. In his new role, Gee will be responsible for managing Tensar's portfolio of roadway products and systems, including Tensar® TriAx® Geogrid, the GlasGrid® Pavement Reinforcement System and GlasPave™ Waterproofing Paving Mat, Spectra® System and Dimension® System.

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) was created two years ago to represent the wide variety of specialty geomembranes that are provided by fabricators. "The association started strong with 23 original members in March 2009," stated Dr. Tim Stark, "and that membership has more than doubled to 48 companies in all membership categories. This growth is due in part to the research being conducted by the FGI as well as the educational courses FGI regularly offers to the industry." The association has accomplished much since its inception and more projects are in the works, such as exposed solar covers and air channel testing of field seams. Anyone involved in the fabricated geomembrane industry, whether manufacturer, fabricator, designer or others allied with the industry, is invited to join.

Plexmar Resources Inc. announces that from February to the end of June, the production at the Malin plant was limited to small quantities of polymetallic ores as a result of delays to receive the permits for transport and storing of chemicals. These have now been issued by the Regional Government. All licenses have now been received and the plant is operating on a continuous basis. During that period, two additional tailing ponds with a capacity of 12,000 cubic meters were built and 4,800 m2 of geomembrane were installed and certified as compliant by local government officials.

The Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) and the Mexican Society of Soil Mechanics (SMIG) will present an International Symposium on Deep Foundations, 3-4 November 2011 in Mexico City, Mexico. Sessions will focus on current advancements and innovative applications within the following technologies: Micropiles, Slurry Walls, Driven Piles and Drilled Shafts. A keynote lecture on each plus additional case histories will be presented in each half-day session. An exhibition hall will be included for the showcasing of products, equipment and services. The official languages ​​of the symposium will be Spanish and English. Simultaneous translation will be available.

Multiple financial news outlets are reporting that geosynthetics manufacturer GSE, which was acquired by private equity giant CHS Capital seven years ago, intends to file an initial public offering (IPO) with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) worth up to $144 million. The filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission indicates that Jefferies and Oppenheimer & Co would underwrite the offering and that GSE would seek to be listed under the symbol "GSE."

Tensar International Corporation, a leader in geosynthetic soil reinforcement and stabilization, has announced the opening of a new sales office in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas. The office will support regional customers, distributors and a team of Tensar sales staff throughout the central United States, including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, southern Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan. To coincide with formation of the Dallas office, Steve Archer, P.E. was named Central Area Manager for Tensar. Archer has relocated to Dallas to head the office.

Rock Canyon Mine from the NDEP. The NDEP has approved NRG to operate the mine with the use of two Geotextile tubes. NRG is currently drafting an EDC submittal to present to the NDEP for permission to build a field adjacent to the site settling ponds for a further eight to ten Geotextile tubes. The NDEP has also approved the installation of the Hy-G bowl recently purchased by NRG. NRG plans to complete final site preparation, including the Hy-G bowl installation, within the next few days and then begin processing gravels for gold recovery.

The Pennsylvania DEP announced yesterday that Chief Oil and Gas has paid a $180,000 fine for a spill at a site in Somerset County more than a year ago in March 2010. Chief had a small spill of hydraulic oil at this site last summer. Hydraulic oil is used to operate machinery onsite. The spill did not leave the perimeter of the pad site and all soil samples showed no environmental impact whatsoever. While no harm was done to the environment, Chief takes all incidents seriously. In late 2010, we made many changes to our best management practices. One improvement included lining all site operations with a protective plastic liner so that small spills like this don't come into contact with the environment at all.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today, in keeping with the Administration's focus on ensuring that domestic resources are leveraged safely and responsibly, announced the next steps in its congressionally mandated hydraulic fracturing study. EPA has identified seven case studies to help inform the assessment of potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. The sites identified were selected following extensive input from stakeholders, including the public, local and state officials, industry, and environmental organizations. To ensure the agency maintains the current timeline for the study, the EPA will begin field work in some of the selected regions this summer.

This paper looks at the use of fabricated geomembranes and the numerous cost advantages of these materials. The reduction of installation time and testing is particularly important in harsh environments and fabricated geomembranes can be used to extend the “field installation season.” Further the reduced installation cost is derived from the use of large factory fabricated panels that reduces the amount of field seaming and field personnel time that is required. Additional savings can be found in the reduction of third party Construction Quality Control costs. The paper describes how Construction Quality Control standards are maintained by conducting CQC prior to the geomembrane being shipped to the jobsite. Learn more here.;

Independent energy producer Chief Oil & Gas has been fined $180,000 by Pennsylvania regulators for environmental violations in the Marcellus Shale, the Department of Environmental Protection said on Tuesday. Chief Oil & Gas has paid the civil fine, which was related to a hydraulic oil spill and the failure to maintain a drill pit at a natural gas well in Somerset County, the Pennsylvania DEP said in a statement. Learn more here.;

The PA Department of Environmental Protection announced today that Chief Oil and Gas LLC has paid $180,000 in civil penalties for a hydraulic oil spill and for failing to properly maintain a drill pit at a Marcellus Shale natural gas well in Jefferson Township, Somerset County. A June 10, 2010 site inspection by DEP found evidence of the discharge of hydraulic oil onto the ground. Operators are required to notify DEP of any spills of that nature because the oil is classified as a residual waste. Chief did not notify DEP of the spill and was not permitted to discharge residual waste at the site. Chief Oil and Gas has since successfully remediated the site.

Federal officials have approved Monsanto Co.'s plans to expand mining operations in southeast Idaho's phosphate patch after concluding that a $30 million liner and drainage system would adequately protect nearby streams and rivers from selenium and other harmful minerals. The geosynthetic lining system was key to the project's approval. Learn more here.;

The deadline to submit abstracts to GeoAmericas 2012 is closing quickly (June 30). Building upon the success of GeoAmericas 2008, this event will provide significant networking and knowledge exchange opportunities for the major roles geosynthetics are playing in the expanding Latin American infrastructure. This Second Pan-American Geosynthetics Conference and Exhibition will be held 1-4 May 2012 in Lima, Peru. The official languages of the conference are English and Spanish.

According to data collected by the International Energy Agency, bioenergy utilization has grown to be more than twice that of nuclear. Fossil fuels still account for 81% of world energy use, but bioenergy has grown substantially, particularly in developing regions of the world (Asia, Africa and Latin America).

Terrapinn's Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Mining Congress 2011 conference has released its official program. Considerable focus seems to be on operations/regulations in specific countries, supported by success stories from major international companies. View the program online. The event will be held 24-27 October 2011 in Dubai, UAE. Learn more here.;

Mr Manfred Balzer, qualified engineer and Managing Director of HUESKER Synthetic GmbH in Gescher, Westphalia, proudly announces: "There are not many companies lucky enough to be able to celebrate their 150th anniversary". Thanks to the innovative orientation and potential of HUESKER's excellent staff, the company has become an international market leader since it was established 150 years ago. Read more in the company's celebratory release.

The 6th International Mine Closure Conference (MC 2011) will be held 18-21 September 2011 at the Fairmont Chateau in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. This not-for-profit, annual conference is presented in various parts of the world by the Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG) and the Centre for Land Rehabilitation (CLR). Site tours will include a reclaimed tailings site in Alberta, a reclaimed mine in Alberta, and the famous underground mining railway in Kimberley (BC). Learn more.