Cutoff Wall Construction for Gold Mine Tailings Management

Challenge

The Greenstone Gold Mine project required a specialized geotechnical contractor to install cutoff walls around its future management facilities. The primary objective was to prevent contaminants from migrating into adjacent water bodies, ensuring environmental compliance and long-term sustainability. The original design called for soil-bentonite and cement-bentonite cutoff walls. However, the project encountered significant challenges, including:

Low Strength Soils: The site conditions differed from initial assessments, revealing low-strength soils that impacted the feasibility of the original design.
Harsh Winter Conditions: The project schedule required work to continue through winter, with temperatures plummeting to -40°F, presenting additional operational and safety challenges.

Cutoff Wall Construction for Gold Mine Tailings Management

Solution

Forgen collaborated closely with the project engineer to adapt to the evolving site conditions. The team proposed and executed a redesign of the cutoff wall using Deep Soil Mixing (DSM) technology, offering several key advantages:

Redesign to DSM: The transition to a DSM approach provided greater stability in low-strength soils, ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of the cutoff wall.
Specialized Equipment and Techniques: Forgen employed specialized equipment capable of operating in extreme cold, maintaining productivity and safety.
Efficient Project Management: The team implemented robust scheduling and resource management practices to maintain momentum despite the harsh winter conditions.

A total of 72,500 square feet of DSM was installed to a depth of 42 feet, covering a total cutoff wall length of 2,400 feet.

Results

The project was completed successfully, delivering several critical outcomes:

Environmental Protection: The DSM cutoff wall effectively prevented contaminant migration, safeguarding nearby water bodies.
Adaptability and Innovation: Our proactive approach to redesigning the cutoff wall and managing extreme weather conditions showcased its expertise in specialty geotechnical construction.
On-Time Delivery: Despite the challenges, the project was completed within the original schedule, demonstrating strong project management and execution capabilities.

Our performance on this project highlights our ability to overcome complex geotechnical challenges and deliver effective, tailored solutions in demanding environments.

All Projects

220002

72,500 SQF of Deep Soil Mixing (DSM) installed .
Maintained production in temperatures as low as -40°F.

Ontario, Canada

Cutoff & Barrier Walls

Mining Solutions

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From active operations to site remediation and reclamation, our expertise in geotechnical and specialty civil construction ensures long-term environmental protection and operational success. Connect with our team to learn how we can support your next mining project.