Mining

Statistics Canada confirmed on Tuesday that growth in the mining, oil and construction sectors was not just an investor interest but the realized drivers to Canada's jobs growth. The detailed analysis of the 2006 census revealed that Canada led the Group of Seven (G7) nations in jobs growth, and that oil and gas led the way. The fastest growing employment sector was construction. Learn more here.;

China Daily reports that the government of China has closed approximately 46,000 illegal mining firms over the past two years for safety and pollution violations. The country has wrestled with, and granted considerable latitude towards, environmentally damaging practices. The State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and affiliated agencies have vowed to establish and enforce more stringent mining regulations. Learn more here.;

A recent conference encouraged the government of Vietnam to invest considerably in more sustainable business practices and the environment. Representatives form 18 economic sectors, including civil engineering, aquaculture, transportation, and mining, estimated that 120 trillion VND (USD$5.3 billion) was needed for environmental protection. Greater regulation is also thought to be needed. Learn more here.;

The government of Canada's new budget is expected to deliver $34 million in support to the mining industry to improve geological mapping. Mineral mining in the northern regions of Canada is a strong growth sector. Learn more here.;

The Navajo Nation Council has passed a bill that established a tribal Superfund program to address severe environmental cleanup needs on the Navajo's 27,000 square mile reservation. For example, there are approximately 1000 uranium mines on Navajo land that may require cleanup measures. This seems to be the first tribe-established Superfund program. Learn more here.;

By request of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Council, the South African Chapter of IGS (GIGSA) will host GeoAfrica 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa, 2-4 September 2009. The theme of this regional conference will be "Geosynthetics for Africa." Download the preliminary flyer here, and visit the IGS website for information on other chapter, regional and global events. Learn more here.;

The Navajo Nation Council will meet shortly to renew discussions of a Tribal Superfund Law. This would essentially give the Navajo a way to address cleanup of industrial and mining pollution on their lands. It will also establish where Navajo and US federal and state jurisdictions might overlap--concern for which has kept the Superfund proposal at arm's length up until now. Learn more here.;

The historic Colorado town of Leadville is situated below an old mining area that contains more than a billion gallons of contaminated drainage. A state of emergency has been declared. Melting snowpack and a partial collapse in the 2.1-mile-long drainage tunnel have threatened what some are calling a toxic tidalwave. Learn more here.;

The spike in demand for (and profit from) minerals and precious metals has caused a furious number of mining projects to be pushed. The environmental management costs--liners, erosion control, etc.--have contributed more as the scope of these mining sites expand; but a far greater cost crunch lies in the global competition for mining equipment and labor. There are shortages of both. Learn more here.;

A proposed copper mine in the Yukon is meeting with stiff environmental opposition. The many-years spike in copper prices has made the $150 million, 8-year-life mine attractive to the company seeking to build. But environmental groups are asking for examples of how heap leaching and liners react overtime in cold climates. Manfacturers and engineers with experience should consider adding your knowledge to the discussion. Learn more here.;

geosindex.com lists geosynthetic data and it's free to access. Registration is never requested. For a sample of what the site provides, check out the geotextile data. The interactive table is sortable and users can choose what criteria fields they would like to see, such as CBR Puncture, NTPEP, and tensile strength. Questions on how to use the site or how to list your products? Contact us. Learn more here.;

The ASTM Proficiency Testing Program has just expanded its existing Textiles Proficiency Testing Program to include a new proficiency testing program on yarns and threads. This new PTP is an industry driven quality assurance program for companies doing yarn and thread component performance evaluations on a routine basis. This PTP will provide participants with a statistical tool that will enable them to compare, improve and maintain a high level of performance in the use of ASTM test methods with other laboratories worldwide. The test parameters in the ASTM yarn and thread PTP include the following ASTM standard tests: · D 1422, Test Method for Twist in Single Spun Yarns by the Untwist-Retwist Method; · D 1423, Test Method for Twist in Yarns by Direct-Counting; · D 1907, Test Method for Linear Density of Yarn (Yarn Number) by the Skein Method; and · D 2256, Test Method for Tensile Properties of Yarns by the Single-Strand Method (straight break strength and loop strength). For each test trial, laboratory participants receive a different spool containing 500 yards of a representative yarn or thread for testing, along with interactive electronic data report forms and test instructions. Using the specified ASTM program tests, participating laboratories conduct the tests of their choice that they routinely run. Upon completion of testing, each lab electronically submits their data to the ASTM PTP Center for use in generating statistical summary reports. Final reports, which are electronically distributed within a month of the data submission deadline, contain: · All test results, coded to maintain PTP customer confidentiality; · Statistical analysis of test data; and · Charts plotting test results versus laboratory code. Test results received through the program will allow laboratories to monitor strengths and weaknesses to maintain accreditation status and compare test results and calculated statistical parameters with labs throughout the world. Test cycles will be held in June and December. Companies must be registered by April 30 to be included in the June test trial. The annual subscription fee for both trials in 2008 is $290 USD. For more information on registration and fees, please contact Helen Mahy, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9683; hmahy@astm.org) or visit the proficiency test program for textiles section of the ASTM Web site at the link below. Learn more here.;

See the latest geomembrane data at geosindex.com. Learn more here.;

Who is responsible for cross-border pollution? A Canadian mining company has sought to dismiss a lawsuit regarding its polluting of the Columbia River, which flows through 1.4 million acres in the American state of Washington. The US Supreme Court has refused to dismiss the suit. Cleanup is needed and $20 million is to be placed in escrow to cover initial operations. (Waste News). Learn more here.;

When the mining and processing company Arimetco declared bankruptcy in the late 1990s, it left a large site in Nevada littered with waste rock and toxic ponds. Last year, cleanup began at the site's megapond, with the liner and waste rock removed. An evaporation pond was built, but 8 of the site's 10 ponds remain in need of correction. Funding, however, has dried up. Learn more here.;

Vermont Asbestos Group closed its Belvedere Mountain site in 1993...and left behind large pilings of tailings. Now, high levels of contamination are being found in surrounding waters. An estimated $500 million will be needed to clean the site. A possible solution is capping the waste. Learn more here.;

PSV Holdings, which holds a significant stake in African mining operations, has acquired South Africa-based Engineered Linings, a geomembrane specialist. Engineered Linings is expert in heap leach pads, landfills, wastewater management, and much more. Learn more here.;

California State Parks and Newmont USA Ltd. are moving forward on the remediation of the former Empire Mine. A geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) cap has been installed and clean soil is being added. After mining operations ceased in the 1950s, the site became a park. The current $1 million cleanup is part of ensuring the park's safe future. More soil zones are being tested for potential remediation. Learn more here.;

The soils of a Westland, Michigan city park with a playground and numerous baseball fields has been found to contain widely fluctuating levels of lead and arsenic - some well beyond acceptable limits. The park had formerly been a sand mining operation and road building dump. Current thoughts are that the site will need to be remediated through the installation of a geosynthetic barrier and clean soil and clay. Learn more here.;

The $1 million cleanup operation of polluted mining waste at Claimjumper in Breckinridge, Colorado is just about finished. Nearly 800 truckloads of lead-tainted material was transported from the site. A cap has been installed over the polluted soils. Learn more here.;

A gold mining operation in Costa Rica has been suspended while engineers examine suspected cracks in the leach pad liner. They must also evaluate whether cyanide--commonly used in the leaching process--has spilled. Ground movement may be to blame. Learn more here.;

The forthcoming issue of Land & Water will feature a generic article on canal lining geosynthetics. The article, "Smarter Infrastructures" by Chris Kelsey, offers a general introduction to types of liner materials.

Phoenix Resources Inc. has moved a step closer to expanding its construction and demolition waste landfill in Duncan Township, Pennsylvania. The site includes mining shafts into which Phoenix has proposed expanding rather than building on top and risk a sinkhole developing and stressing the liner. Read more. Learn more here.;

Western hemisphere manufacturer of studded concrete protection liner (HDPE, LLDPE, multicolors) is seeking agent/distributor/installer in North America. Material already installed in major international infrastructure projects. Applications include sewer tunnels, wastewater treatment plants, potable water reservoirs, mining/chemical process solution storage, manholes, canal liners, etc. Please contact lara@geosynthetica.net.

The term "Film Tearing Bond (FTB)" for qualifying welded geomembrane seams essentially disappeared from the waste containment sector several years ago, but it still remains in the potable water sector. Ian Peggs, I-CORP INTERNATIONAL, authors a tech note proposing "that we forever banish FTB."