Consol’s Bailey Mine located near Graysville, Pennsylvania in the southwest corner of the state pumps coal laden sediment water from its deep mines to settlement ponds which are typically underlain with clay. However, as the ponds are extended vertically to increase their capacity, the sideslopes must be lined with clay or geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) to prevent the pumped water from reentering the local aquifer.
The settlement ponds have steep sideslopes ranging from 2H:1V to 2H:1V and CETCO lined 30 acres of side slopes around the perimeter of a pond in the Summer of 2009. Bentomat SDN was the GCL of choice because of its strong internal shear strength and its stability on steep slopes. Using a crew of 6 technicians, 2 laborers and 2 operators, CETCO installed the GCL as a subcontractor to Shelly and Sands who was responsible for the overall project, including earthwork.
GCL installation was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection who required that all GCL deployed on a daily basis be installed on an approved subgrade and cover ed with 2 feet of soil by the end of the day to prevent premature hydration of the GCL from rainfall. D’Appolonia, Inc. designed the pond liner system and provided Construction Quality Assurance oversight for Consol. The project was completed in August 2009.
PROJECT: Consolidated Coal – Bailey Mine
APPLICATION: Mine Drainage Settlement Pond
MATERIAL: 30 acres of geosynthetic clay liner (Bentomat SDN)
LOCATION: Graysville, Pennsylvania
Related Link
CETCO Profile on Geosynthetica
