Inco tailings pond, Sudbury, Ontario,Canada;
photo by Rapid Impact Contractors Ltd.
Photos by Boulanger, UC Davis
Photo by Wismut GmbH [4,5 ]
Tailings storage Falconbridge/Ontario/ Canada
at the top: before cover with clear water
below: after cover with clear water
Photos by Natural Resources Canada
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Different types of tailings dam design, source: Planning, Design, and Analysis of Tailings Dams, by Steven G.Vick, John Wiley & Sons , New York, 1983, 369 p., ISBN 0-471-
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Geosynthetics are function elements for geotechnical designs. The geosynthetics either specific from producer of geosynthetics after requirements of geotechnical constructions are developed or the engineers select from product range of geosynthetics after the requirements of geotechnical design. The geosynthetics in the last decades made its arrival within many ranges of the geotechnical processes (landfill site construction, dyke construction, traffic line construction etc.) more and more introduction, so also of the construction and closure of tailings storage facilities, the offer range of the relevant offerers became in the meantime very broad. It is therefore important that general requirements and testing methods for geosynthetics into the guidelines and standards for the construction and closure of tailings storage facilities find entrance. It should be listed here some few examples of application of geosynthetics in this range, they could be the model for further applications for construction and closure of tailings storage facilities.
Reasons:
The using of geosynthetics in the last decades for geotechnical constructions, also for construction and closure for tailings storage facilities, has an enormously increase, because the meaning of geosynthetics increased than function elements for geotechnical design enormously. Geosynthetics have been playing a substantial role by meeting high technical requirements and thus allowing the realization of complex specification under economical and also safety aspects. As two-dimensional products with a low mass per unit area and a low volume, geosynthetics can be easily integrated into the construction works, even over longer construction periods and under changing weather conditions. Besides sealing components (barriers), filtration, separation and reinforcement functions can be accommodated. A good integration of geosynthetics into the geotechnical constructions of closure works can support its long-term stability.
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By the Wismut GmbH published and public favorised: „Typically multi-functional layers cover system to minimization of infiltration rates“
Attention!!!: The Wismut GmbH has not applied previously a multi-barrier cover system on its tailings ponds!!! Instead, were applied for example a mineral one-layer-cover with . Which will installs on a several meters thick interim cover
(included, not removed consolidation filling), see also Paul/Mann, Wismut GmbH/2011.
The equivalence of the cover systems shall be not discussed here.
Multi-functional - 4-barriers - layers cover system, UMTRA-project Monticello Utah / USA, long-term stable safekeeping of vanadium and uranium tailings in accordance with the
basic requirements of the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency),
Radon emission rate <
see IAEA-TECDOC-1403, August 2004
Photos by M. Lersow/10-Apr-2011: Panorama flight over the Tailings pond „Helmsdorf site“ from southwest to northwest (from left to right): 1) „Water eyes“ - Basins waterfilled in northern range of Tailings dam, Contamination can be determined by testing; 1 and 2) Tailings dam profiled, designed and planted in parts; 2) Tailings cover in progress - Background: Free water lamella „new“, which was filled by surface water, has waterlogged and percolated considerable the tailings cover???; 3) Free water lamella in southern range; Circle: total extension, photo: extension at time of photography
© Copy rights by: M. Lersow/10-Apr-2011
© Copy rights by: M. Lersow/10-Apr-2011
© Copy rights by: M. Lersow/10-Apr-2011
Photos by M. Lersow/10-Apr-2011: from left to right: 1) obove and below: Remediation progress „Trünzig site“, see also representation above; 2) Tailings ponds Culmitzsch A und B: Tailings dams profiled, designed and planted in parts; 3) Tailings ponds Culmitzsch A - Free water lamella „old“ consisting of pond water and B - Free water lamella „new“ , which was filled by surface water, has waterlogged and percolated considerable the tailings cover???
Tailings pond „Truenzig site“
Please use the Geo reference system - Coordinates - 50° 45.233’ N, 12° 12.987’ E