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303-279-8532 <br />303-279-1609 Fax <br />eeeoscar@att.net <br />TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM <br />To: Anne Beierle, Henderson Mine <br />From: Mike Ellis <br />Date: September 10, 2002 <br />Subject: Use of Geo-Synthetic Products to Enhance Strength of Tailings <br />Background <br />In 2001 Climax Mine management decided to construct test plots using three geo- <br />synthetic materials on a representatively soft tailing environment to improve the bearing <br />strength of the soft soils. The three materials tested were: (1) Tensaz's BX4100 geogrid, <br />(2) Tensaz's BX4200 geogrid, and (3) Mirafi's IIP370 geotextile. Climax management <br />enlisted the services of Michael D. Ellis, PE, of Ellis Environmental Engineering, Inc. <br />(EEE) to monitor and assist in the evaluation of the test plots. The current report is a <br />result of that monitoring and evaluation effort which took place during the timeframe <br />July 23 through September 14, 2001. <br />Objectives <br />The objectives of the Geo-Synthetic Test Plots on Robinson Tailing Pond were to (1) <br />determine if the three products selected could be readily used for enhancing the tailing's <br />bearing strength to allow conventional equipment to function on the tailing surface and <br />(2) to calculate the approximate costs of each of the three products. <br />Approach <br />A representative area of tailing at the south end of the Robinson Tailing Pond was <br />selected for the plot. Materials were placed/stored as close as possible to the plots using <br />a combination ofend-loader, hand labor, and pick-up trucks. <br />Geo-synthetics were unrolled on the tailing surface and placed by hand, using various <br />numbers of crew members. Following geo-synthetic placement, capping material was <br />loaded, hauled, and spread on the test plot using Climax's fleet of three Volvo VME A35 <br />trucks, one DS dozer, and one Komatsu WA500 loader. <br />Ellis Environmental Engineering, Inc. <br />4342 Ulysses Way <br />Golden, Colorado 80403 <br />