Mining

When ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics meets in San Antonio, Texas (27-29 January 2010), the gathering will include a Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI)/D35 joint workshop on durability. The workshop--"Geosynthetic Material Durability: Field and Laboratory Experiences"--will be held on 29 January. Download the official program here (PDF). Learn more here.;

Lexmundi, a consortium of international law firms, offers extensive resources about more than 100 major countries plus US state and Canadian provinces. They include legal topics of interest to geosynthetics business such as environmental control and company structures. View the free Lexmundi "Guides to Doing Business" here. Learn more here.;

NES Group has posted a job listing for a geotechnical engineer for work with onshore/offshore pipelines. The specialization includes geomembrane design understanding. Learn more here.;

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.

SKZ's 2nd International Conference on Geosynthetics Middle East is being held in Dubai, UAE, 10-11 November 2009 with geomembrane and geogrid technologies guiding most of the discussions. A special one-day seminar will follow on November 12 on HDPE liner issues. Ian Peggs of I-CORP has sent along a write-up from day one of the conference. Read his synopsis of the presentations and companies present at the event, and see images from this region of ever-increasing importance to the geosynthetics field.

Geosynthetica supports its underwriters and the geosynthetics field on many fronts: in magazine articles, in daily news on its site and as an approved provider to Google News, through webinars, with market research, and in many other ways. One of the important ways we deliver geosynthetics information around the world is through support of conferences, particularly of those that are not exclusive to geosynthetics or which have not yet realized their full market or regional potential in their utilization or understanding of geosynthetic technologies. In 2010, some of the events for which Geosynthetica.net is serving as a cooperating organization / media sponsor include: ** EC10 in Dallas, Texas, USA -- 16-20 February 2010; ** 7th Cooperation for Waste Issues in Kharkiv, Ukraine -- 7-8 April 2010; ** Polymers in Photovoltaics 2010 in Cologne, Germany -- 20-22 April 2010; ** LatAm Mining Congress 2010 in Coral Gables, Florida, USA -- 27-29 April 2010; ** Global Waste Management Symposium 2010 in San Antonio, Texas, USA -- 3-6 October 2010. **** To learn more about how you can be part of these events and others with Geosynthetica.net, or how Geosynthetica can work with you to expand your reach, contact Elizabeth Peggs at elizabeth@geosynthetica.net.

CETCO will present its next webinar, "Slope Stability & Shear Strength - Installation of GCL," on 16 November 2009 from 10:00 - 11:30 am (CST). This geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) webinar uses the GoToMeetings web application, so may require some download of software in order to have full access to the presentation. Phone-in and computer audio is a possibility for listening in. Visit the company's webinar and event page for more information and to request a space in the webinar audience. Learn more here.;

On Tuesday, 3 November, our engineer colleagues and friends Gaye Sprague and John Paulson were elected to their city councils. At a time when so much of American government is debating infrastructure, it seems especially relevant and important to have civil engineers serve in office. Read about them here.

The mining of oil and gas in deep rock calls for the use of thousands of gallons of water. The fracturing fluids become contaminated, either as part of or subsequent to the process, and must, in many areas, be stored in lined pits. However, companies in Colorado are looking to turn away from liners and instead use underground injection disposal, in part because they are finding it difficult to dispose of liners after use. Many landfills will not accept them because of potential toxic contamination. Colorado may need to change its liner disposal rule to a bury-in-place scheme. Learn more here.;

NAUE GmbH & Co. KG, a German manufacturer of geosynthetic materials, such as geosynthetic clay liners will be appealing a recent decision of Australian Customs imposing anti-dumping measures on its products. NAUE is an internationally active company with a long-standing record of high-performance products and high integrity in its involvement in the global market. This includes many years of successful interaction with and service to numerous sectors of civil engineering and construction in Australia. Read the company's response here.

The North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute (GI) have signed an agreement to co-organize Geo-Frontiers 2011. The last Geo-Frontiers was held in 2005 in Austin, Texas. The 2011 edition will be held at the Sheraton-Dallas Hotel 13-16 March 2011. The event is the second Geo-Frontiers, the first of which was held in 2005 in Austin. The Call for Proposals has been issued. In addition to traditional paper sessions, this call seeks proposals for activities that will allow professional colleagues to share their expertise through panel discussions, hands-on workshops and short courses; and “show-and-tell” their stories in field demonstrations and technical tours. Learn more in the PDF brochure. Learn more here.;

CETCO has completed an extensive update of its website. The new content includes new tools and contacts for specification assistance, an extensive reference and document library (all available freely and without any login requirements), and key testing updates, such as to recent direct shear testing results. We encourage our readers to explore CETCO's new site. The added content is worth the time. Learn more here.;

Daniele Cazzuffi of CESI serves as president of the Italian Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). He has sent along the following photograph from the 22nd National Conference on Geosynthetics, which was held on 28 October 2009 in Bologna, Italy. The event's theme was "Regulations and Seismic Design in Reinforced Earth." IGS Italy, the Geosynthetic Association of Italy (AGI), and the Association of Engineers and Architects (Bologna Province) held the conference. Read more.

Over the last few months, Solmax has been working with a consulting company, Genivar, to develop non-biased studies that would provide technical data to engineers in their lining design for mining applications. The concept is to provide engineers with data on the total construction benefits achievable through the flexibility and deformability of pvc geomembranes. We already have been conducting educational seminars to South American and African mining and engineering companies; we are currently looking to expand our visits into other regions of the world. If you would like to receive details about a potential meeting or to discuss the results of the study, you may contact Carl De Leon. Learn more here.;

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) held its first course on "Constructing with Fabricated Geomembranes" on 23 October 2009. "The attendance exceeded our expectations for this course," stated Tim Stark. The short course was attended by 66 people and covered the design, specification, testing, manufacturing, fabrication, installation, inspection and field testing of fabricated geomembranes in a variety of applications. The course was moderated by Tim Stark and 16 other speakers presented various components to the course. One goal of the course was to give attendees a wide range of experts from which to draw from.

Professor Jean-Louis Briaud, Holder of the Buchanan Chair in the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University in the USA was elected President of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE). The election took place in Alexandria, Egypt on 4 October 2009. Read more about his appointment here.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has settled with Usher Enterprises Inc. of Detroit, Mich., for alleged violations of federal hazardous waste regulations at two of its oil recycling facilities. EPA's administrative order requires the company to spend $700,000 to upgrade two of its facilities by installing new tanks, upgrading secondary containment, and decontaminating and testing the integrity of other tanks.

The Nordic region’s mining firms and technology suppliers have not escaped the chill winds that swept through the world’s financial and trading centers. But neither have they stopped key investment programs. Mining Journal's European editor, Kyran Casteel, reports on iron ore, gold silver and other mining activity in Scandinavia. Learn more here.;

When ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics meets in San Antonio, Texas (27-29 January 2010), the gathering will include a Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI)/D35 joint workshop on durability. The workshop--"Geosynthetic Material Durability: Field and Laboratory Experiences"--will be held on 29 January (8:00 am - 5:00 pm). The topics to be presented are as follows: (Read more)

The winter meeting for ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics will include a couple special events. The first of which is a Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI) / D35 joint workshop on durability. The second of which is an exploratory meeting on geocell standardization. This is a fascinating opportunity. Geocell products have been used successfully for a variety of applications for decades. However, many regulators, specifiers and users have found significant market variability with regard to product characterization, market specifications and product quality. The range of geocellular system products is expanding every year. In this important inaugural meeting, all interested individuals will be invited to attend and contribute to the discussion of potential D35 standardization efforts.

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) held its first short course ("Constructing with Fabricated Geomembranes") on 23 October in Denver, Colorado. Tim Stark reports that 66 attendees took part and numerous industry experts presented on topics from secondary containment to EIA geomembranes to welding and much more. Course participants were eligible for up to 6 PDHs. Read a write-up from Dr. Stark.

The economic downturn has the potential to profoundly change global gas markets. Deeply negative forecasts for industrial output in developed countries will reduce world-wide demand for natural gas in 2009 and 2010 - the first time in history; while potentially setting back the market for up to 10 years, according to a Booz and Company's report. Learn more here.;

After 35 years, Land and Water is now available in a digital format. To see a few of the articles in the newest issue, please follow the link below. Learn more here.;

TenCate Geosynthetics North America is recognized with two 2009 International Achievement Awards (IAA) presented by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) for its exceptional specialty fabric projects. TenCate received an Outstanding Achievement Award for its Disposal of Coal Mine Slurry Waste Using Geotextile Containers project and one for its Eganville Waste Water Treatment Plant Dewatering project. These projects were recognized in the competition's 'geosynthetics' category.

"Geosynthetics Evolved" is the credo of the newest manufacturer to enter the geosynthetics industry. SYNTEC, based in Baltimore, MD, is a newly formed company with many familiar faces. In a recent transaction, SYNTEC acquired the environmental division of TENAX Corporation. Read more about this new venture.