Mining

How do construction industry companies and associations stack up against one another in lobbying dollars? Building Green has published a list of money going to lobbying groups in Washington DC. While the money involved means that lobbyists and lawyers aren't going to be held in high regard by the average person anytime soon--favoritism is, of course, a major concern--their work is crucial to communication between industries and legislative committees. This includes bringing technologies and options to the attention of legislators. For example, the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) has worked with lobbyists to introduce geosynthetic technologies water infrastructure legislative influencers. Learn more here.;

India-based publication MasterBuilder has released a special issue on geosynthetics in the world's largest democracy. Artilces from Ian Peggs of I-CORP INTERNATIONAL, Lance Carter of Strata Systems, and many others are included. Subjects covered include high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes, geogrid soil reinforcement, geotextile applications (e.g., road construction), landfills, waterproofing, and more. Read the electronic version of the magazine. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetics 2009 is the largest geosynthetics industry event in North America. This biennial event will explore important issues affecting water resources, mining, infrastructure development and regulatory communities in the American, Canadian and Mexican markets. Organizers have announced an extention to the early registration rate to 30 January 2009. Register now to secure the best rates. The event will take place 25-27 February 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has scheduled two infrastructure short courses for users (new and experienced) of geosynthetics. These much-needed educational opportunities couldn't have emerged at a better time. GSI's courses focus on public and private sector use of geosynthetics (with one course being dedicated to each). Each course will be offered twice during the spring. The dates for the one-day sessions are as follows: Infrastructure Development Using Geosynthetics: Public Sector Projects - March 23 and April 13; Infrastructure Development Using Geosynthetics: Private Sector Projects - March 24 and April 14. More information on the sessions is available here.

Democrats in the United States Congress have begun revealing details of an ambitious spending and tax program to provide an economic stimimulus to the ailing economy and revitalize a many years-deteriorating civil infrastructure. Key to the stimulus package is infrastructure investment totaling $85 billion, including $30 billion for highway and bridge construction, $3 billion for airport improvement, $10 billion for drinking water and wastewater treatment projects and $4.5 billion to the Army Corps of Engineers. More on this will emerge shortly.

Leak location technology has greatly improved construction quality assurance (CQA) measures and, thus, geosynthetic lining system performance. But while the benefits of geoelectric surveys cannot be disputed, one should understand that not all lining systems are immediately survey-able. Ian Peggs' short tech note on double liner systems illuminates this issue but establishing minimum boundaries and pointing out troubles (challenges to surveys) that may result from certain system arrangements.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has announced that it will release details from its 2009 Report Card for America's Infrastructure on 28 January 2009--two months ahead of the full report's release. The association has decided to release some information now, as the new Congress and incoming presidential administration have both placed new infastructure projects high on the list of priorities for the United States. ASCE will release letter grades and short conditions summaries for each of 15 categories, solutions for infrastructure improvement, and an overall cost to improve the nation’s infrastructure. Read an important letter from ASCE president D. Wayne Klotz on the report card (and renew your membership!).

Following Congressional pledges for EPA regulation of coal waste after the catastrophic waste spill in Tennessee and a second spill in Alabama, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has outlined what it believes are the minimum safeguards necessary to protect the environment and public health and safety from coal waste. Among the SELC's recommendations: double-liner systems. Read more in the release and link to a report.

Strata Systems, Inc. announces an upgrade to its advanced interactive computer software program designed to assist engineers with the design and analysis of geogrid-reinforced steep slopes. Earthen slopes up to 70 degrees from horizontal can be safely designed in accordance with methodologies accepted by the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a multitude of project applications. The program, named StrataSlope, is now available on Strata’s newly redesigned website and is recommended for use by experienced geotechnical and civil engineers familiar with the technology of mechanically stabilized earthen structures. Read more.

An update, now, on CETCO's growing presence in the Middle East. We posted news last fall on CETCO Oilfield Services move into the Libyan market, and an update has emerged. The company has signed a deal with the Libyan services agent company APSCOP (Althuraya Petroleum Services and Supplies) to provide water treatment services to the Libyan oil and gas industry. CETCO's other divisions include lining and waterproofing technologies, such as geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) and geomembranes. Learn more here.;

While specifications are to help provide stability, consistency and professionalism in engineering and construction, they can also lead to problems--especially when their authors do not seem to see the full implications of their assumptions. In example, Ian Peggs of I-CORP INTERNATIONAL writes about the placement of leak location in specifications and how some of these specs provide CQC but not real CQA. Errors of assumption like this may lead to facility failures.

Periodic in-service measurements--including high pressure oxidative induction time, carbonyl index (FTIR), and stress cracking resistance--should provide a few years advance warning of exposed high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) liner end-of-life (EOL), thereby preventing unexpected very expensive catastrophic liner failures.

Whales (bubbles above the water level) in a lined wastewater pond are usually caused by leaking water that cannot be removed, which in turn generates methane that also cannot be removed. Minimize leakage through the liner (there will inevitably be some), provide a functioning leakage removal (monitoring) system, and a functioning gas venting system. A nonwoven geotextile alone under the geomembrane is not sufficient to do this.

Liner designers and regulators should note that it is NOT possible to perform a geoelectric integrity or leak location survey on a double geomembrane lining system when there is only a geocomposite in the leakage detection system (LDS) between the two geomembranes unless the LDS is backfilled with water. This can be costly, time-consuming, and even damaging to the liner if it is uplifted. Additional ballast on the liner may be required. And side slope liners cannot be tested. Plan ahead and use conductive geomembrane, or place a conductive geotextile or a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) directly under the primary geomembrane.

The Asia Mining Congress (23-27 March 2009, Singapore) is has released its full program. Download the program, access speaker information, and more in the latest online newsletter for the conference. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetics 2009 is the largest geosynthetics industry event in North America. This biennial event will explore important issues affecting water resources, mining, construction, and regulatory communities in the US, Canadian and Mexican markets. Register by 16 January 2009 to secure the best rates. The event will take place 25-27 February 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

TRI/Environmental has steadily (often quietly) added to its testing and training business over the years, but 2008 may have its most significant. New hires (including industry veteran Rich Lacey) have strengthened the efficiency and skill of TRI's work; new testing equipment has greatly expanded the company's capabilities, especially in geotechnical areas; TRI has achieved AASHTO's American Materials Research Laboratory (AMRL) certification; electrical resistivity testing training continues with participants coming from all over the world; the Denver Downs large-scale testing facility is maturing; and much more. It's been an important 2008 and bodes well for a strong future. Read TRI's annual letter for the full story.

On 27 February 2009, the Geosynthetic Institute will deliver the 22nd installment of its GRI conference series. GRI-22 has been formed under the title "It's All in the Details." These shorter, discussion-prompting presentations will group under the headings of materials and testing, field installation, field performance, and new devices, concepts and presentations. Though a one-day event, GRI-22 is going to be as full as one would hope. Seventeen presentations will be given, as will time for discussion. It's a can't miss event in the geosynthetics field. We encourage everyone to attend--GRI-22 is co-located with Geosynthetics 2009 (Salt Lake City, 25-27 February 2009). Here is the final program for the event, courtesy of Drs. Robert and George Koerner of the Geosynthetic Institute.

Ireland's Sunday Business Post has published short interview's with 10 businesses on surviving, and even thriving, in a down economy. The last section in the article includes an interview with FLI Environmental's Michael Flynn. "...we will all just have to find a new way of doing business," Flynn says. "This year will be all about sharpening our focus and controlling our costs." Read more in the Post. Learn more here.;

NAUE's geosynthetic business has truly become global. A brief news piece from Germany looks at the company's work from Espelkamp and Lübbecke, its reinforcement and barrier technologies, and key personnel. (In German.) Learn more here.;

An Australia-based engineering office seeks an Associate Director - Geotechnical. The position's responsibilities include the planning and design of Civil/Geotechnical related projects, such as feasibility and strategic studies, scheme reviews, concept plans, detailed designs and tender documentation. Projects may include mining waste management, tailings management, heap leach pad design, waste characterisation, rock mechanics, water management, environment and mine closure. Learn more. Learn more here.;

TenCate Geosynthetics’ has announced some organizational changes for 2009: Wally Moore will relocate to Austria as Managing Director of TenCate Geosynthetics Europe; Lee Bryan will be promoted to President of TenCate Geosynthetics North America; and John Henderson will become Senior Vice President, responsible for all sales and marketing activities at the North American office. Congratulations are due to all three for their years of accomplishments for TenCate. We look forward to working with them in their new capacities. Learn more here.;

geosynthetica posts its first CEN Standards Watch: a breakdown of the standards currently under development or up for approval with Europe-based CEN's Technical Committee 189 (CEN/TC 189), which focuses on geosynthetics. Other important groups will be monitored as we move forth in this tracking of international standards formation. Read the first update here.

PGI members voted to grow the PVC Geomembrane Institute to the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI). The FGI—like the PGI—is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the use of fabricated geomembranes through education, research, and technology transfer. PVC geomembranes will continue to be an important part of the FGI, but the FGI will also include all geomembranes that are factory fabricated. Read more about it.

CETCO Oilfield Services has announced that it is set to expand its presence in the growing market of Libya. The country is moving towards doubling its output of oil to 3 million barrels per day. Investment in Libya's oil and gas industry has increased 64% over the past few years. CETCO Oilfield Services is a sister division of CETCO Lining Technologies, which provides geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), geomembranes and other geosynthetic materials and expertise. Learn more here.;