Mine Sites
ENVIRONMENTAL
Dam sealing for water storage and aquaculture
A proven product is DamSeal, our West Australian Bentonite, rich in calcium, particularly suited to sealing dams and ponds when applied correctly. Bentonite has high levels of absorption qualities, which allows the clay to swell and create an impermeable layer.
Bentonite based liners or barriers systems are very effective, long lasting systems for water and wastewater and contaminant management.
The seal is 'plastic' so does not readily puncture.
Barrier systems
Common uses of these systems:
-
Lining/sealant for dams and ponds to reduce water losses through soil
-
Lining/sealant of dams and ponds to control movement of pollutants through dam substrate
-
Adsorbent liners and barriers to control movement of pollutants through soil in ground water.
The system is effective as a barrier system to restrict the movement of water and dissolved chemicals out of storage ponds or through soil profile.
The bentonite barrier system also adsorbs metals, hydrocarbons and other organic and inorganic chemicals. So bentonite based containment systems restrict movement of water and the movement of toxic chemicals.
Damseal with Bentonite A Damseal, our Watheroo Bentonite, is a proven product particularly suited to sealing dams and ponds when applied correctly. Damseal is not only environmentally safe, but because it is 100% West Australian, it is now an extremely cost effective method of sealing water storage. Bentonite may be used in several ways depending on the soil type and whether it is practical to empty the dam. For dry dams on light or loam soils, a mixed blanket is worked into the soil, and on heavy soils, a pure blanket would be required (similar to a clay lining).
Where a dam still has water, the best application method is to broadcast the Bentonite on the water surface. Rates of application for the above methods are reliant on soil structures and specific conditions within the dam. Our guidelines contain information to assist you in selecting the appropriate application for your needs. A soil engineer or Bentonite Products WA is able to provide further assistance on request.
Mine site revegetation
Revegetation projects in arid zones face difficulties with logistics of seed distribution due to seed predation, seed loss by wind and rain, and difficulties of seed establishment in exposed, bare soils.
Rehabilitation of modified landforms resulting from mining activities is a legal obligation on mining companies. This is an expensive process requiring large investments in earthworks to create stable structures that can withstand heavy rainfall events and to replace topsoil that can support the revegetation required for the long-term physical stability and ecosystem functions.
In an arid environment with unpredictable rainfall it is particularly useful to be able to undertake seeding without waiting for rain. Dry seeding is a useful method when rainfall is unpredictable and also because these areas may be inaccessible following rain. Dry seeding requires that seeds are able to survive and persist in a viable state until the rain makes the environment conducive to germination and seedling survival.
The finished pellets can be sown by hand or air dropped, with improved survival prospects for revegetation and rehabilitation of mining, agricultural and other degraded lands.