Mine closure diversion channels utilize the GEOWEB® Concrete Hard-Armor Protection System

Nestled in the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain range, a remote mine site is surrounded by picturesque views of canyons, cliffs, and steep-walled gorges.

During the summer, the mine site experiences frequent, swift-moving storms that often cause washouts and severe erosion. To address major attrition concerns, project owners sought a long-term channel erosion protection solution that would also serve as a stormwater management system after the mine closure.

A channel armoring system had to be an extremely resilient, maintenance-free solution that could withstand high flows and, in some cases, even rockfalls. Post-closure monitoring would be limited because of the remote location and lack of personnel available to be on-site, so the solution had to be durable and reliable.

To ensure a structurally sound and cost-effective solution, the project engineers, consultants and mine owners collaborated closely with Presto Geosystems’ design engineering team. Together, they worked to develop a value-engineered solution that met the project’s unique requirements and challenges.

To ensure a consistent concrete depth and protect against erosion, the concrete was poured directly into the GEOWEB cells and leveled with the top of each cell, as shown in the photo above. This method effectively confines and reinforces the concrete, preventing it from shifting or eroding under high velocity and shear stress.

It is recommended to start filling the GEOWEB sections from the crest and work downward toward the bottom of the channel. This process ensures that the concrete remains intact and evenly distributed throughout the channel without any areas of weakness or vulnerability.

Presto Geosystems’ support, from design through installation and beyond, guaranteed site challenges were met successfully.

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