Mining geosynthetics describes the use of engineered geosynthetic materials across mining operations. Haul roads fail on soft subgrades, tailings must be contained safely, and closed sites require long-term environmental protection. Secugrid®, Combigrid®, Carbofol® +, Bentofix® + X, and Secutex® provide proven, compliant solutions from active operations to site closure.
Geosynthetic products are used wherever durability, containment integrity and ground stability are critical to safe and productive mining operations.
Stabilise temporary and permanent haul roads on soft or variable subgrades with geogrid reinforcement.
Reduce granular fill requirements and improve bearing capacity for crane and piling operations.
Improve stability on steep embankments and mine slopes under challenging ground conditions.
Mining haul roads and working platforms carry exceptionally heavy vehicles and equipment. A reinforced subbase must perform under repeated dynamic loading without rutting or structural failure. Secugrid® and Combigrid® are engineered for installation under harsh site conditions and remain structurally effective throughout the asset life.
Practical advantages:
On active mining sites, haul roads are subject to continuous heavy traffic on potentially water-saturated subgrades. Fine particles migrate upward into the granular subbase layer, causing loss of bearing capacity and premature road failure. A correctly specified separation and filtration layer prevents this degradation and preserves long-term road performance.
Key principle: Reinforcement increases bearing capacity. Separation and filtration protect the subbase layer long-term.
Product selection depends on ground conditions, load classification, required engineering functions, and environmental exposure. The following decision table covers the four most critical selection criteria.
| Selection criterion | Subgrade CBR > 3% | Subgrade CBR < 3% | Aggressive chemicals/mining leachate | Very soft mud/inaccessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Reinforcement only | Reinforcement + Separation + Filtration | Chemical-resistant containment lining | Surface stabilisation + working mat |
| Recommended product | Secugrid® | Combigrid® | Carbofol® HDPE + Secutex® protection | Combigrid® placed on the mud surface |
| Multiple layers? | Single layer typical | Single layer usually sufficient | Double-liner system recommended (primary + secondary) | Single layer; additional layers for very low CBR |
Reduce haul road failures and downtime
Secugrid® and Combigrid® prevent rutting and structural failure on haul roads. Reliable road performance reduces unplanned downtime and maintenance costs across the mine life.
Protect groundwater and meet environmental permits
Carbofol® HDPE geomembranes provide an impermeable barrier for tailings and heap leach pads. Their chemical and UV resistance ensures long service life under aggressive mining conditions.
Lower construction costs with value-engineered platforms
Engineered geosynthetic platforms reduce granular fill requirements by up to 50%, cutting material, transport, and programme costs.
Single-supplier system solution for all mining zones
Naue supplies geosynthetics for road construction, slope reinforcement, containment lining, drainage, and closure from one source. This reduces interface risk, simplifies quality assurance, and shortens procurement lead times.
Mining geosynthetics describes the use of engineered geosynthetic products across all phases of mining operations. Applications include haul road reinforcement, tailings storage facility (TSF) lining, heap leach pad containment, slope stabilisation, working platform construction, and mine closure capping. Naue supplies complete geosynthetic systems for each mining zone.
Product selection depends on the engineering function required. Secugrid® is used for haul road and platform reinforcement on CBR > 3% subgrades. Combigrid® is specified where reinforcement, separation, and filtration are needed simultaneously (CBR < 3%). Carbofol® + is used for all containment lining applications. Bentofix® + X is specified for composite lining systems in tailings and heap leach pads.
Design and specification of geosynthetics in mining must comply with applicable national mining authority regulations and international guidelines. Commonly referenced standards include ASTM D5261, ASTM D4759, and ISO 10318 series for testing. Tailings storage design typically references ICOLD Bulletin 106 (design guide), ICOLD Bulletin 121 (risk of dangerous occurrences) and IFC Performance Standard. Naue Engineering and Design Department (EDD) can support specification compliance for individual projects.
Cost savings vary by application. On working platforms, geosynthetic reinforcement has reduced granular fill requirements by up to 50%, delivering significant material and transport savings. Contact our team for a project-specific cost comparison.
Secugrid® and Combigrid® rolls are unrolled and anchored on the prepared subgrade before granular fill is placed. Their flat structure prevents recoil and simplifies installation under tight schedules. Combigrid® eliminates a separate geotextile installation step. For Carbofol® HDPE liners on steep mine slopes, certified welding by qualified installers is required. Naue provides installation guidelines and can recommend certified installation contractors.
Carbofol® HDPE geomembranes provide exceptional resistance to chemical degradation, stress cracking, and UV exposure. Their embossed surface improves friction coefficients on slopes, supporting lining system stability. Carbofol® is used in double-liner systems for TSFs and heap leach pads, where containment of aggressive copper, gold, and other metal-laden leachates is required. Chemical compatibility data are available from our technical team for project-specific verification.
Yes. Carbofol®, Bentofix®, and Secutex® are specified for mine closure capping systems. These systems encapsulate tailings and contaminated soils, prevent rainfall infiltration, and allow clean soil placement over the cap to support re-vegetation. Geosynthetic caps have a documented long service life and low maintenance requirements compared to compacted clay alternatives.
All Carbofol® geomembrane seams in TSF applications are produced using dual-channel hot-wedge welding and immediately tested by air pressure in the weld channel. Any seams that fail the pressure test are repaired and retested before coverage. A complete weld log is maintained for each panel, forming part of the quality control (QC) record submitted at project completion. Certified installation specialists and independent construction quality assurance (CQA) inspectors confirm compliance on large TSF projects.
A primary liner is the first barrier installed directly above the prepared subgrade - typically Carbofol® HDPE, which prevents process solution from reaching the soil. A secondary liner is installed beneath a leak detection and collection system (LDCS) and provides a backup containment barrier if the primary liner fails. Double-liner systems with LDCS are mandatory in many jurisdictions for heap leach pads handling aggressive copper, gold, or other metal leachates. Naue provides complete primary and secondary liner system designs to suit project requirements.
The design of geosynthetic systems across the mining life cycle (from haul road reinforcement to tailings containment and mine closure) follows recognised national and international standards and site-specific design criteria:
Naue Secugrid® geogrid stabilises and reinforces roads, embankments, working platforms, slopes and walls.
Naue Combigrid® is a geogrid with integrated nonwoven geotextile that combines stabilisation, reinforcement, separation and filtration in a single installation step.
Naue Bentofix® + X is a Thermal Lock GCL with enhanced oxidative resistance for mining, landfill and hydraulic engineering.
Naue Carbofol® + HDPE geomembrane is an enhanced oxidation-resistant liner for mining containment, landfill sealing and other critical barriers.
Naue Secutex® is a mechanically bonded nonwoven geotextile for separation, filtration and protection for the use in roads, railways, environmental and hydraulic engineering projects.
Naue Secudrain® is a geosynthetic drainage geocomposite for landfill, groundwater protection and building structures.
