Blog Bites 3: Geotube® Dewatering of Mine & Mineral Slurries
By Norhisam Omar
Welcome to our blog space where we share our insights and experiences in civil engineering and geosynthetics. We feature bite-sized articles for quick and easy consumption
Interest in the concept of dewatering mine and mineral slurries utilizing TenCate Geotube® systems continues to grow as engineers grapple with challenges of dealing with problems associated with excess water creating stability issues, dewatering containments reaching capacity, and using the system to improve or solve operational issues.
In Blog Bites #2 of "Mine & Mineral Slurries", we looked at the comparisons between TenCate Geotube® dewatering systems with conventional systems and how cost is evaluated.
Moving on to Blog Bites #3, we explore the operational issues, risks and safety aspects in executing a Geotube® dewatering project. Enjoy the final bite of this series.
Understanding Operational Issues & Complexities
Once the initial technical issues have been dealt with, questions turn to the practicalities of actually undertaking the project and the implications of deployment, pumping, polymer dosing, stacking, safety, and specifically, the equipment and manpower needed to work the project.
Before assessing this, the question that needs to be asked and answered is...
"who will undertake the work?"
There are two options, each with advantages and disadvantages.
Skilled specialist applicators are preferred when:
- large tubes are used;
- slurry flow volumes are high;
- tube units are required to be stacked;
- accurate polymer dosing is necessary; and
- in applications where specialist dredging is required.
Mine/on-site manpower can be used for relatively simple applications provided normal site work responsibilities allow for proper tube operation to be undertaken.
Other Considerations
On mine sites, worker safety is an overriding concern governing each aspect of every task. When Geotube® dewatering tubes must be stacked, safety considerations relating to deployment, pumping, and operational cleaning are accelerated.
Simple issues such as walkway space, access over drainage channels, and up onto tubes need to be considered.
Most importantly, the correct tube positioning and deployment, as well as methods of controlling pumping and tube inflation must be carefully designed and managed.
The bigger the tube units, the greater the number of units and the higher the stack, the greater is the risk of accumulating issues. Therefore, large projects should not be undertaken by an unskilled workforce.
TenCate Geosynthetics provides engineers who are interested in the concept of Geotube® dewatering technology, comprehensive support in all aspects of tube system design, installation, and operations.
This service includes the provision of Proof of Concept tube units designed to allow practical on-site assessment of design calculations to be proven at no charge. Experienced engineers can also guide initial site deployment and operations.
We hope you've enjoyed reading this series on Geotube® dewatering of Mine & Mineral slurries. If you'd like to catch up with the first two parts of this series, here are the links to Blog Bites #1 and Blog Bites #2.
Till the next exciting series on Blog Bites, stay safe and keep well.
Connect with us to know more or email us at info.asia@tencategeo.com
