Modern mining operates under a global microscope. Pressure from regulators, ESG-focused investors (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and local communities has transformed soil protection from a compliance measure into a pillar of any project’s financial viability. In this context, geomembrane installation is not merely a construction task, but the creation of a critical engineered barrier that protects the region’s most valuable asset: its soil and water resources.
Unlike other industries, mining subjects geosynthetic materials to extreme conditions. A heap leach pad can reach hundreds of meters in height, exerting massive pressures on the HDPE liner. If the subgrade is unstable or the material lacks adequate resistance, failures occur due to puncturing or stress cracking.
Historically, most leaks in mining operations do not occur because of intrinsic material defects, but due to poor execution during geomembrane installation. A poorly managed wrinkle beneath a 50-meter-high ore load becomes an inevitable point of failure. For this reason, SAI’s engineering approach focuses on “Zero Defect” from the deployment phase onward.
In mining soil protection, high-density polyethylene is the gold standard. HDPE liners are valued for their near-total chemical inertness against acidic and cyanide solutions. However, at SAI we understand that project geology may dictate other requirements.
SAI applies protocols that go far beyond conventional practices. Soil protection begins long before the first roll of HDPE geomembrane is unrolled.
The subgrade must be free of angular rocks, roots, or any element that could compromise the integrity of the barrier. In many global mining projects, SAI recommends the use of additional protection layers—such as high-grammage geotextiles or GCLs (Geosynthetic Clay Liners)—to create a composite containment system that minimizes permeability rates.
Geomembrane liner welding in mining is primarily performed using the dual hot wedge fusion method. This process creates an air channel between two parallel weld seams, allowing seam integrity to be tested via air pressure. For complex details, such as solution collection sumps, our certified technicians use extrusion welding, ensuring a molecular bond between components.
To guarantee absolute soil protection, SAI integrates geomembrane leak location services. In large-scale mining, even a micro-leak can result in the loss of pregnant solution (gold/copper) and subsurface contamination.
We use advanced geoelectrical methods capable of locating pinhole-sized perforations beneath soil layers or even when the system is already in operation. This capability not only protects the environment but also enhances project profitability by ensuring that all lixiviant solution is directed to the processing plant.
Although the initial cost of geomembrane installation may represent a significant investment, the cost of failure is astronomical. Remediating contaminated soils at a mine can cost ten times more than the original installation, not to mention environmental fines and potential operational shutdowns.
By choosing SAI, mining companies secure:
Responsible mining is, at its core, intelligent geosynthetics management. Soil protection in large-scale projects requires a combination of elite materials and flawless technical execution. At SAI, we do not merely install geomembranes; we build the infrastructure of trust that enables the mining industry to operate safely, efficiently, and in harmony with the global environment.