Canal Lining | Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

CCX-M^® chosen for fast, erosion control protection

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Project Overview

In June 2022, CCX-MAT^® (CCX-M^®) was installed to canalise pumped water from settling ponds to a river outlet in Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Mining operations the mine are mainly carried out underground.

Due to the high water table and prevalence of subsurface water, continuous pumping is required to ensure safe and favourable working conditions. This underground water is pumped into settling ponds which allow sediments to settle prior to canalising to the local river outlet – with the settling ponds to the river outlet being approximately 4km long.

Canal profile and anchor trenches excavated, CCX-M^® laid transverse, CCX-M^® overlapped and secured using stainless steel screws, new to previous day overlap with double row of screws

32000m²

of CCX-M^® used to line the canal

950m²

(10 rolls) were installed per day

installers split into two teams each with designated tasks

Solution

To ensure that no water permeated back into the mine as well as protect the substrate from erosion, a lining solution was required. In addition to the pumped water, the canal needed to have the capacity to drain stormwater collected from the catchment above ground. As the subgrade running the length of the canal are lateritic the flow rates in which the canal would be operating under would have caused the soil to erode but also allow the water to permeate back into the mine.

CCX-M^® secured within leading and trailing edge anchor trenches

A number of lining solutions were considered including a geomembrane underlay with poured concrete, shotcrete or riprap protection. However, due to the scale of the canal and proximity to the rainy season, a fast and effective solution was needed. Due to the canal being used to divert pumped water as well as storm water, the lining solution needed to withstand and sustain flow rates of up to 6m/s as well as abrasion caused by sediment accumulated by storm water runoff. CCX-M^® was chosen as the prefered lining solution due to it being rapid to install – with very little need for a large workforce and plant.

CCX-M^® was also chosen for the project due to the material being able to withstand significant flow rates, protect the canal from any erosion and mitigate any water from permeating the soil.

Design & Installation

CCX-M^® Bulk Rolls specified
Canal excavated and graded into a uniform profile
Transverse layup
Perimeter edges secured within anchor trenches
Round head pegs were installed through the underlap of each joint at transition from side slope to invert.
Overlapped CCX-M^® was thermallly bonded and screwed
CCX-M^® hydrated 3 times (at 30 minute intervals) to prevent premature curing during hot weather conditions

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Anchor trenches backfilled with non-erodible fill

Summary

Due to the speed and ease of application, CCX-M^® was installed at an average rate of 10 rolls (950m²) per day with a team of 10 installers. The installation team was spilt into teams each designated by task which involved laying, jointing, fixing and hydrating.

The project has been deemed a significant success by both the client and the EPCM contractor, DRA. This has resulted in the specification of CCX-M^® for significant additional scope on the mine as well as consideration for other applications.

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CCX-M^® Hydrated using a hode and water bowser

Completed installation

CCX-M^® was easy to work with as the installers could learn and apply the installation techniques easily and quickly. The quick and efficient technical assistance received from Concrete Canvas Ltd also aided in the success of this part of the project.

Ettienne Breytenback DRA Global