Case Study: Application of HDPE Geomembrane in Mine Tailings Pond Seepage Control

With the expansion of mining operations, the safety and environmental performance of tailings ponds have become increasingly important. A copper mine tailings project in Africa was located in a region with complex topography and high rainfall. To prevent seepage of tailings and contamination of groundwater, the client chose Nuokun High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Geomembrane System to ensure efficient seepage control and long-term stability.

Total area: approx. 120,000 m²

Lining system layers：

1. Compacted clay layer (50 cm thick, k ≤ 1 × 10⁻⁶ cm/s)

  2. Nuokun HDPE Smooth Geomembrane (2.0 mm thick)

  3. Nuokun Nonwoven Geotextile (300 g/m²) as upper protection layer

Welding standards: ASTM D6392 & GRI-GM13

Testing methods: Vacuum box, spark test, electrical conductivity test

1.Preparation: Site graded and cleared of sharp objects, compacted to ≥95% density.

2.Membrane installation: Nuokun HDPE rolls (8 m width) laid with 10 cm overlaps and fused using wedge welding.

3.Seam testing: Each weld tested at 0.2 MPa air pressure for 5 minutes – no leaks detected.

4.Protection layer: 30 cm sand cover placed to prevent mechanical damage and UV aging.

5.Quality control: Nuokun technical experts provided on-site supervision to ensure all processes met GRI standards.

After completion, the project underwent a 72-hour hydraulic pressure and electrical leak detection test:

No visible leakage or damage points detected;

Measured permeability = 1 × 10⁻¹³ cm/s;

HDPE seam shear strength ≥ 25 kN/m;

After 1000 h of accelerated UV aging, material retained >95% of its original performance.

Total cost reduced by ~40% compared to concrete lining;

 Construction period shortened by 30%;

Annual seepage loss reduced by ~18,000 m³;

 Prevented heavy-metal contamination and improved the ecological safety of the mine area.

This case demonstrates the reliability and cost-effectiveness of Nuokun HDPE Geomembran in mine tailings pond seepage control systems. Its superior weldability, chemical resistance and UV durability make it an ideal solution for mining, wastewater treatment and environmental protection projects. With proper design and strict construction management, the project achieved the goals of “zero leakage, low maintenance, and long service life.”