FINAL INSPECTION Coletanche ES3 on the TSF embankment for copper-gold project in South Australia Bituminous geomembrane for a South Australian mine PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS CARRAPATEENA TSF AND DECANT POND CLIENT OZ Minerals DESIGNER Golder Associates LOCATION South Australia GEOSYNTHETICS MANUFACTURER Axter Australia Pty Ltd. PRODUCT Coletanche ES3 T he Oz Minerals Carrapateena mine is a copper-gold project located 99 miles (160 km) north of Port Augusta in South Australia. The ore is processed on-site to produce a gold-copper concentrate. A lined tailings storage facility (TSF) was required to receive the tailings by-product and protect the surrounding environment. A lined decant pond was also constructed as part of the processing facility. For both the TSF and the decant pond, the designer required a bituminous geomembrane (BGM) with specified mechanical, durability and hydraulic properties. Coletanche ES3 met or exceeded all the specification requirements and was selected as the appropriate BGM. Quality assurance measures for the installation called for air lance testing, ultrasonic testing and vacuum testing. The BGM was well suited to the rugged conditions of the site. It is designed to interface directly with various stone and large soil particle sizes. This allows it to be installed efficiently without additional protection measures. The BGMs have been tested for chemical compatibility with various tailings types and have a hydraulic conductivity that easily met project requirements. An additional benefit of the BGM is the dimensional stability it provides in exposed conditions. Unlike many polymeric liners, the BGM does not wrinkle and deform in the high heat conditions of the site. G 44 Geosynthetics | June July 2021