Mining

The December 2010 issue of NAUE News is perhaps the company's most ambitious to date, in terms of content range. The introductory article addresses the departure of long-time managing director Prof.-Ing. Dr. Georg Heerten, who is retiring from his primary day-to-day operations with NAUE. Project stories in the issue look at countering the danger posed to a community by the sudden appearance of a sinkhole; high-speed railway improvement; foundation protection; landfill sealing; dam restoration; and much more. These projects are set in Australia, Germany, Romania, Burkina Faso, and elsewhere.

Trelleborg, through its Trelleborg Engineered Systems business area, has signed an agreement to acquire PPL Polyurethane Products Ltd., which has annual sales of approximately SEK 90 M and about 90 employees. PPL Polyurethane Products is based in the UK and develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of polyurethane-based solutions and products, with a focus on the offshore oil/gas and infrastructure segments.

Western Environmental Liner's new fabrication line allows them to continue to be one of the fastest fabricators of liners in the world. Western Environmental Liner has added a new heat welding machine to their already extensive line of wedge welding and heat welding machines to enable them to keep up with their customers expanding needs.

TenCate Geosynthetics has appointed Paul Firrell (44) as new managing director Europe, effective 1 January 2011. Mr Firrell has vast experience in the geosynthetics industry, including 18 years with GSE Lining Technology Inc., manufacturer of geosynthetic liners and related products and services. Here he was Managing Director of the company's EMEA and Russian operations and also held the role of Group Chief Operating Officer of the global business.

Chris Eichelberger, Technical Manager of American Environmental Group, Ltd. (AEG) joins Ms. Abigail Beck of Asuenco Vector as guest presenters/teachers at TRI's CQA Week. Chris has over 9 years experience in the geosynthetics industry including; constructability reviews, project management, contract administration, specification and material selection, with field experience in CQA of soils and geosynthetic materials. Chris is active within the International Association of Geosynthetic Installers (IAGI), a voting member of ASTM Committee D 35, and the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI). Previously, Chris has worked with a large environmental construction company and a geotechnical engineering firm. Learn more. Learn more here.;

Pacific Comox Resources Ltd. reports that the contract for the installation of the first test leach pad at the Mabel property has been signed. The preliminary site clearance and contouring is underway. This is being followed by the laying of the clay base for the geomembrane which will be followed by about a 0.3 meter layer of crushed and screened granodiorite filter material on which the mineralization to be leached will be placed.

While coal ash facility design has been all the talk, there are other challenging sites in need of re-evaluating the environmental security of. The Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI) has published its White Paper #18: "Geosynthetic Lining Opportunities at Uranium Mill Tailings (UMT) and Low Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) Facilities in the USA." It's a cursory but fascinating snapshot of the extent of base liner, capping systems, and affiliated geosynthetics potential for these critical containment sites. From environmental protection to slope stability, the incorporation of geosynthetic technologies could be as beneficial here as they already are (and already are required) for municipal solid waste (MSW) facilities. Read the six-page white paper, with a break down of some facility scopes, here (PDF). Learn more here.;

TRI reports that only a few spots are left for participation in the next CQA Week at the TRI campus in Austin, Texas. During the 6-10 December 2010 CQA Week, the already excellent course lead by Dr. Ian Peggs will include expert education from Ausenco Vector's Abigail Beck. Ms. Beck's 49 million square feet of electrical leak location experience is the perfect complement to Dr. Peggs' 30+ years of Geosynthetic Materials Science & Electrical Leak Location experience. Construction quality assurance (CQA) training at TRI focuses on geomembrane liner integrity surveys, QA/QC of geosynthetics installation (geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids, etc.), and QA/QC of compacted clay and geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) installation. Optional certification exams are also offered. Download a flyer (PDF)

TenCate has entered into an agreement to purchase the geosynthetics activities of Emas Kiara Industries Berhad, a publicly listed company based in Rawang, Malaysia. This transaction will provide TenCate Geosynthetics with a significantly larger position in the supply of geosynthetics solutions to the Southeast Asian markets. The purchase is expected to be finalized in early 2011. Emas Kiara Industries is an important full-line producer and supplier of a wide range of geosynthetic products and solutions with primary focus on the Asian markets. This addition of the Emas Kiara production capabilities, employees, and product brands will significantly strengthen the position of TenCate Geosynthetics activities in this rapidly growing region of the world.

Effective 1 January 2011 Colbond will raise prices 6-10% in Europe and Asia for their entire product range due to the continued escalation of raw material costs. Similar price increases will be implemented in North America. The company is in the process of informing customers. The company states that the need for price increases has been further reinforced by rising manufacturing components and transportation costs, which have also escalated with no downward trend projected for the foreseeable future.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) has published an article regarding the opening day of Geosynthetics Middle East 2010, an important conference that not only has been co-organized by SKZ and BMC Gulf but is taking place under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Municipality. WAM reports that strong attendance has kicked off the event and that discussions have tied together nicely with the Emirates' move toward sustainability and continuing the trend of adopting newer engineering technologies. Learn more here.;

The National has published an article about the opening day of Geosynthetics Middle East 2010, currently taking place in Abu Dhabi. The article quotes speaker Abdul-Sattar al Mashhadani, a Landscape Expert with the Parks and Recreation Facilities Division of the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City. He stressed the importance of sustainability and water conservation in the UAE. Learn more here.;

Strata Systems, a division of Glen Raven Technical Fabrics (GRTF), is honored to announce that GRTF has received certification to test geosynthetic fabrics from the Geosynthetic Accreditation Institute (GAI) -- Laboratory Accreditation Program. This distinguished certification makes Glen Raven's laboratory located in Glen Raven, NC now one of about three dozen laboratories in the world that has been accredited by GAI to perform tests on tensile and weight properties of geosynthetics (ASTM D4595, ASTM D6637, and ASTM D5261).

Under the patronage of Municipality of Abu Dhabi City, the 3rd International Conference "Geosynthetics Middle East 2010" is taking place in the capital city Abu Dhabi on 9th and 10th of November 2010. Organized by the leading Plastic Institute SKZ Germany in cooperation with its local partner BMC Gulf, the conference is expected to become the biggest event on Geosynthetics in the Middle East and is attracting industry experts worldwide.

Guest Teacher Abigail Beck of Asuenco Vector will join Ian Peggs of I-CORP International to teach Liner Integrity Survey Training--offering multi-lingual support in the class during TRI/Environmental's next CQA Week, which will be held in Austin, Texas at the TRI campus 6-10 December 2010. Read more.

Global Synthetics is organizing a full-day seminar titled "Geosynthetic Ground Improvement." The event will be held in four cities across Australia, November 23-29. Supported by Engineers Australia and sponsored by NAUE, the seminar features guest lecturers Drs.Kerry Rowe and Barry Christopher. Learn more.

The Technical Textiles & Nonwoven Association is proud to announce the release of its latest learning resource on Geosynthetics: a series of informational geosynthetics lectures posted openly on YouTube. The videos address applications for geosyntehtic use and core product functions. Read more.

Snow may come any time to the Siskiyou Mountains. Crews working on the remediation of Blue Ledge Mine are hurrying to install high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner and other controls before the winter weather weather arrives. The former copper mine is being remediated by a $13.6 million plan to prevent polluted runoff from leaching into the area’s watershed. Learn more here.;

Pacific Gold Corp. (PCFG 0.02, 0.00, -15.95%) announced today that the Black Rock Canyon Mine has begun the testing of geotextile tubes for dewatering tailings from the mine screening plant. The Company is pleased to report today that the tubes are in place and the testing has begun. The plant is operating, and material is now being processed. Further information will be provided once the testing and results are completed over the next two weeks.

Seats are booking fast for the 3rd International Geosynthetics Middle East 2010. Looking at the current bookings so far, this event will be the largest conference on Geosynthetics in the Middle East organised by SKZ Germany. Under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Municipality, the event is taking place from 9-10 November 2010 in Abu Dhabi, UAE and will provide a highly attractive platform for international geotechnical and environmental specialists to exchange their knowledge and experience on geosynthetic related topics.

The AMI conference on Waterproof Membranes looks at the trends and technical developments in the international roofing and geomembrane industry. It takes place from 30 November-2 December 2010 at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany. Learn more and register.

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) held its third short course in Denver, Colorado, on 15 October 2010 at the Embassy Suites Hotel. The short course was organized by the FGI and attended by forty-six (46) people. The excellent and timely presentations, e.g., presentations of the use of fabricated geomembranes in the BP Oil Spill and mining applications, and attendee questions and comments made the course a great success. The course covered the design, specification, testing, manufacturing, fabrication, installation, inspection, welding, and field testing of fabricated geomembranes in a variety of applications. Read more.

The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) has provided significant leadership in public discussions on the future of US coal ash facility construction rules. With current discussion regarding whether facilities might be governed under Subtitle C or D regulations, GMA has spoken at public gatherings and submitted formal comments and documents whenever the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has called for input. The latest comments regarding the storage of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCRs) were submitted 14 October 2010. We encourage readers to follow this developing story and the important work GMA is carrying out. Learn more here.;

TRI/Environmental invites you to join its expert staff and guest instructors for an excellent week of construction quality assurance (CQA) training that will focus on geomembrane liner integrity surveys, QA/QC of geosynthetics installation (geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids, etc.), QA/QC of compacted clay and geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) installation, and optional certification exams. CQA Week will be held in Austin, Texas at the TRI campus 6-10 December 2010.

As the economy takes its toll in the number of approved civil engineering and infrastructure projects and with close scrutiny of those that do make it past the planning stage, Tensar International's Ian Fraser discusses the need to minimise the cost of raw materials, which increasingly favours more sustainable recycled solutions. Read his comments here and link to a document with further information from a company white paper.