Improving the performance of mining infrastructure through the judicious use of geosynthetics

The use of geosynthetics within the mining industry is not as extensive as within some other industries, such as the hazardous and municipal solid waste industries. However, in certain, very specific ap- plications, the volumes used can be very large, such as in the lining of heap leach pads. This particular appli- cation provides two conditions of extreme loading for geosynthetics: extremely large normal loads and severe chemical exposure. The performance of geomembranes in these applications could be useful indicators of likely success in other applications. In applications such as containment of mining waste, where the potential volumes of geosynthetics usage are enormous, application rates remain low. This is attributed to the lack of internationally enforceable legislation requiring the lining of sites storing mining waste. Current areas of ap- plication in the mining industry are described in the paper, and suggestions made regarding improvements in awareness and training that could be facilitated by the International Geosynthetics Society. Needs are identi- fied for improved testing techniques and associated performance criteria that are specific to the mining indus- try, such as heap leach pad liners. Without the confidence provided by such research, it is understandable that mining practitioners are sometimes reluctant to specify the use of geosynthetics in large, critical mining infra- structure projects.