The mining company reported (“Argumenty i Fakty”, issue No. 24) that work on waterproofing seepage zones in certain sections of the diversion channel was completed on 2 May.
The primary purpose of this diversion channel is to protect the mining and processing plant’s tailings storage facility from the inflow of unbalanced water and to carry spring floodwater. However, due to an abnormal increase in precipitation during the summer–autumn period, the channel diverted rainwater from the adjacent terrain, and rainwater seepage was subsequently detected.
Taking all potential risks into account, geophysical surveys were conducted to locate the seepage zones, and a project was developed for additional waterproofing of the identified sections.
The engineering solutions provided for the installation of 4 functional layers of geosynthetic materials: 2 layers of geotextile STO 56910145-009-2014 – a base layer and protection of the main layer from sharp stones; one layer of geomembrane GOST R 56586-2015, parts of which are welded together; and an upper layer of hydromat STO 56910145-005-2011 – to protect the middle layer from mechanical impact and ultraviolet radiation. The entire waterproofing system was ballasted with a 30 cm layer of crushed stone. The total area of all sections exceeded 15,000 m2.
All construction work was completed promptly and in full. Thanks to the “TechPolymer” geosynthetic materials and the people involved in developing the working documentation and directly carrying out the construction work, it was possible to complete a strategically important task for the mining and processing plant and protect the environment from man-made risks.
