Thoughts on Safer Mining Environments

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safer mining environments with Global Environmental Solutions

Mining is one of the oldest industries in the world. And, it will remain one of the backbones of our economy and that of many other nations long beyond our lifetimes. That said, one of the recurring trends in the U.S. media is the often adverse working conditions for employees as well as the ever-present concern about damaging the environment.

Here’s the good news:

Good environmental practices and mine safety are easily attainable and is far more affordable than you might think. And, while you may have needed several different contractors to meet regulations before, Global Environmental Solutions (GES) is your one-stop-shop to meet and exceed environmental and site-safety specifications.

Areas you can utilize our products:

  • Above ground and under ground haul roads
  • Capping above ground tailings/stockpiles
  • Tailing dams
  • Pond lining
  • Stabilizing backfills
  • Re-vegetation
  • Crushers
  • Conveyors
  • And many more!

The activity of mining means the creation and existence of dust. It affects everything from the surrounding ecosystem, to the lungs of miners, to the health of equipment, and surrounding communities due to environmental shifts (wind), etc. That said, all mining sites are unique, so you need a partner that can provide a solution that takes care of all-of-the-above customized to your site’s needs.

GES dust suppression products we’ll use to shape your solution:

DustLess®

  • Dust control for any dirt driving surface (continuous traffic, high traffic, heavy traffic)
  • Underground mining operations
  • Non-aqueous tailing pond dust control (for below freezing temps)

DirtGlue®

  • Erosion control
  • Stockpile capping
  • Sediment control
  • Stockpile sealing
  • SWPP management plans
  • Embankment stabilization
  • Contaminated soil containment
  • Eliminate TSS in storm water run-off
  • Dust control on non-driving surfaces
  • Replace conventional tackifier in Hydro-seeding applications
  • Tailings ponds

CompoMulch™

  • Re-vegetation for permanent erosion control and dust control

Our products can be used to develop dust management, sediment control and stabilization for your unique requirements. Our DustLess product is absorbed by the dust particles, which stabilizes them and keeps them from entering the air and getting swept about. DirtGlue, which is an acrylic polymer, is applied to non-traffic areas such as soft shoulders and adjacent stockpiles and embankments. The polymer forms a tough protective crust that stops the dust created by the vacuum effect of passing vehicles. When applied to stockpile and embankments, DirtGlue also protects against sediment runoff as well as wind and water erosion issues. If revegetation is needed DirtGlue polymer can be used as a tackifier in conjunction with CompoMulch to vegetate nearly any surface of nearly any soil type.

Coal Bunker Sealing

DirtGlue polymer stockpile capping and sealing is the antidote to the oxidation and moisture that leads to spontaneous combustion in coalbunkers. Keeping coalbunkers sealed mandates an effective, reliable air-blocking system. Sealing coalbunkers is, of course, more necessity than choice. Air circulating through the coalbunkers is a precursor to spontaneous combustion, a serious danger to a power plant, its employees, and the value of the stored coal itself. The spraying of DirtGlue polymer on stockpiles or bunkers causes the formation of a thin crust much like a spray-on tarp to act as a seal against water and air. This protective seal helps prevent fire, dust, erosion and loss of BTU’s.

Benefits:

  • Eliminate air and water penetration
  • Control dust through encapsulation
  • Minimize oxidation to prevent spontaneous combustion
  • Prevent costly coal bunker fires
  • Slow coal deterioration and water absorption that can reduce BTU value
  • Get the desired results without the higher cost of nitrogen injections

Further, when it comes to the transport of mined coal we can help with transportation efforts of the resource, as statistics show that a typical 3-5% loss of coal is experienced during transport from the mine. This can be avoided by “capping” the train or truck hopper hauling the load with one of our environmentally friendly spray-on solutions.

Are you in the mining industry and looking for ways to maximize safety, minimize environmental impact, all while simultaneously increasing profits on an extracted haul? Contact us today and let’s work together to come up with the customized solution to best fit your unique situation.

Bolster the Bottom Line: Keep Your Hydroseeding Equipment Running All Year Round with GES Products

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We understand that when it comes to hydroseeding and hydromulching you’ve got a lot of options to work with. Options are good. They keep the industry “honest,” or, at least that’s the hope.

Being headquartered in New Hampshire, we’ve been staring at a lot of hydroseeding and hydromulching activity on the side of highways, and the countless arrays of construction projects that happen during the spring, summer, and fall months. Some of it will be considered a success. Some of it “will suffice.” And some of it will fail. It’s a part of the “business.” It’s often not in your best interest to go with “the cheapest quote.”

With that said, we want to be as honest with you as we possibly can. It comes in the form of a proclamation – not because we’re looking to exude a degree of overconfidence – but rather, because our pride and reputation is in the products we produce. Therefore we’re here to tell you that DirtGlue is the finest product on the market when it comes to contractors and their quest to find a multi-faceted solution to their hydroseeding and hydromulching needs and/or operation. Sure, others have likely made the claim, but again, we’re coming at you as unbiased as we can possibly be. When we created our suite of products we studied what others were doing. We got to the root of common problems and improved upon areas of strength and we came up with our own, unique solution that, quite simply, exceeds expectations and flat out lasts. The proof is in the science. The science is in the “glue.”

Consider the following:

Using DirtGlue Polymer Emulsion instead of your regular tackifier when you “get to work” on a project is a much more effective and cost competitive solution when it comes to preventing runoffs and accelerating germination, which is the ultimate goal when you’re hydroseeding, right?

The unique bonding capabilities built in to the inherent core of our polymer technology keep soil, seeds, nutrients, and cellulose mix in place during heavy rains and extreme runoff situations (we’re again looking right at those jobs on the sloping banks at the side of the interstate on our commute to work…)

The long and short of things is this: DirtGlue Polymer Emulsion eliminates costly and time-consuming re-sprayings and touch-ups and every application gains a happy and satisfied customer, and, a well executed, environmentally sound jobsite.

DirtGlue Polymer Emulsion combined with your hydroseeding mix:

  • Holds water in the soil longer (thus feeding into a sought after greenhouse effect)
  • Protects the soil and plants from rapid dehydration
  • Enables two to five days of earlier germination
  • More than a 20% increase in the germination rate of grasses
  • Reduction in soil losses due to strong precipitation (sediment control)
  • Prevention of loss of fines due to wind erosion (dust control)

We all know that cost is at the heart of the things we choose in life. Cheaper is not cheaper in the grand scheme of things. Cheaper means (quite often), lesser quality. And lesser quality gives way to greater margins of error, and, as we mentioned earlier, more follow-up to touch up jobs, and, in some cases, completely redo a task to fulfill a contract agreement. By just adding one cent per square foot, with DirtGlue Polymer Emulsion you are able to guarantee the job and offer peace-of-mind to not only the customer, but also, also, you. You don’t have to worry how it’s going to work, because, quite frankly, it just works. In the end, the cheaper solution will wind up costing you a little bit more at the outset.

And what’s more is this:

The GES line of products can keep your hydroseeding equipment operable and fueling your bottom line for the entire calendar year. Who wouldn’t want to take a more well rounded means of control over their expensive equipment for all four (potential) seasons rather than having it sit idle for many months at a time? How might you achieve this? Let’s give you an overview…

DirtGlue® polymer – This product is used primarily to stabilize embankments to prevent erosion, and help contractors with regulatory issues, erosion control, stockpile capping, and BMPs for SWPPPs
(Spring, Summer, Fall)

DustLess® dust suppressant – Quite simply, apply dust control on high traffic areas and eliminate the need to use water while achieving far superior results.
(Summer, Fall)

ArenaKleen® dust control – Your equipment can be used to apply our ArenaKleen dust control product to riding arenas (both indoor and outdoor), offering safety to not only the horses stomping around in the arena, but people who are subject to the adverse effects of breathing in potential dust threats.
(Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall)

CompoMulch™ organic blend hydromulch – As mentioned above, this product is far superior to the typical wood fiber and paper products used for hydromulch. Our custom blended CompoMulch contains 50% compost mixed with a 50% special blend of short vegetable fiber (no paper and less prone to clogging nozzles).
(Spring, Summer, Fall)

So give us a call and add to your application technology / operative arsenal what many in your industry are already doing – eliminate the seasonality of your business – make it year round!

Carefully Combating Contaminated Parcels of Land

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A very real environmental danger is the development and/or discovery of a contaminated ecological site. In extreme cases, these plots of land are labeled as a Superfund site, which is becoming an epidemic of sorts throughout the United States. After years of environmental improprieties by business entities and/or property owners, Superfund sites – uncontrolled or abandoned parcels of polluted land – are hazardous to the local ecology and the health of people living near or associated with the contaminated site.

If a property has been labeled as a Superfund site it’s due to the fact that it’s been “discovered” and the federal government has stepped in and called for remedial action.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a Superfund site as: any land in the United States that has been contaminated by hazardous waste and identified by the EPA as a candidate for cleanup because it poses a risk to human health and/or the environment. These sites are placed on the National Priorities List (NPL).

If you’re feeling adventurous, or are just curious, you can search a database to find Superfund sites throughout the country by entering any state here.

What does all this mean? Well, from one vantage point, it means that there are countless other areas of harmful contamination that haven’t been found, and/or are being handled at the state or local (town) level.

So, whether they’re being combatted by EPA initiatives or by a local/state source, contaminated sites need to be handled with care. Stirring up the earth in or directly around a tainted property can cause even more harm if not thoroughly thought out prior to attack. For instance, when you start physically moving earth, it’s just plain common sense, that soil particles, contained gasses, embedded molds, asbestos remnants, and other environmentally compromising matter may take to the air, or, further, find their way into the watershed given certain agitations. Entering the air or water poses serious threat to the health of the surrounding population and eco-environment.

Enter Global Environmental Services (GES). When careful and strategical prepping to properly remediate a contaminated parcel of land is required, GES has scientifically proven products and application technologies are best suited for the job, best suited for the environment as well. That’s at the core of our mission. Literally.

We’ve successfully provided product such as our DirtGlue line of products that work very well at containing contaminated material either permanently onsite (when and where appropriate), or that can be used to contain the contaminated material (dust prevention and sediment/erosion prevention) as the material is being moved or removed for remediation.

So, whether you’re a representative or contractor working on a government sanctioned Superfund site, or you’ve been faced with the task of tackling a similar situation on the state and/or local level, keep GES in mind when it comes to bringing successful project goals for a less than desirable circumstance, to fruition. We’re here to help: For the earth, with the earth in mind.

Traditional Environmental Techniques: An Antique Auto

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Porsche is a legendary brand. The company traces its roots to the 1940’s when an aging Ferdinand Porsche developed his namesake car. A talented automotive engineer, and founder of the Porsche car company – he is best known for creating the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle the Lohner-Porsche, developed in 1894 and marketed from 1900 – 1905 – the Volkswagen Beetle, the Mercedes-Benz SS/SSK, and several other important developments in addition to his famous Porsche automobiles. Porsche also designed the 1923 Benz Tropfenwagen, which was the first racing car with a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. In short, he stayed busy, and as far as the automative industry is concerned, he was an outstanding revolutionary

As they say the rest is history.

As a kid, I was a car nut. Initially American muscle cars. Then having seen the cute (as well as fast and nimble) little Porsche 356’s on TV shows such as the original Mission Impossible series and in movies such as Harper, starring the great actor Paul Newman and several movies with another great actor, Steve McQueen, I became enamored with, and then addicted to these tiny, but amazingly fast, great handling cars. So much so that I joined Porsche Club of America and raced for a time when I was able to afford such luxury and had less concern for my own wellbeing. Eventually Porsches evolved and I graduated from the 356 Porsches to its descendent, the mighty Porsche 911, and then, to its successor, the ultimate Porsche, the 911/930 Turbo. Porsche was one of the first car companies to offer turbos in cars for the general public [albeit only a few with deep pockets as those 930’s were made in extremely limited numbers… we’re talking 1,300 cars on average per year – offered under the “Sonderwunschprogramm” (special order program)].

I’ve followed those vintage 356 Porsches and the actors who drove them over the years. The cars are now very valuable classics and those actors are dead. You can’t hide from Father Time – age catches up with everyone and everything.

Time too has long since caught up with most traditional environmental techniques. They don’t work well enough in many cases and they’re inefficient or relatively ineffective in other cases.

Now, much like Porsche with their new modern, ultra-fast, better, handling, better braking, better fuel economy, modern 911 automotive derivatives for the modern era, here comes Global Environmental Solutions with its DirtGlue Enterprises line of products to provide new modern approaches to environmental products and application techniques.

GES/DGE offers:

  • Extremely long-term dust control without water
  • Paving without asphalt or concrete
  • Hydroseeding/hydromulching without washouts
  • Permanent waterproofing for masonry
  • Chemical roadbase stabilization that is permanent
  • Erosion control that lasts and lasts
  • Dust control that stands up to any and all climate conditions
  • Sediment control at the source instead of silt fence after the fact
  • And, just like Porsche – much, much more…

GES is not just another soil stabilization and dust control company, just as Porsche is not just another car company.

The two of us are entirely different entities serving entirely different markets, but are both highly focused on research, development, and customer service. The goal has always been to provide the best possible results in an industry where ‘good’ just isn’t good enough.

At GES, we strive for technical and ecological superiority with every product we offer, in every project our products are introduced to, 100% of the time. The road we travel on (and may even have had a hand in stabilizing) is that of a joint effort – where success and creativity abound. Ride with us. We’ll get you to where you need to go, and we may even have some fun in the process.

Like Porsche, with GES products there “is no substitute”…

Soil Erosion Magazine: Dust Control

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dust control orovilleIt was February when the problems started. Just north of Sacramento, nestled among outdoor recreation areas, the Oroville Dam started falling apart. The world’s tallest dam’s main spillway partially collapsed; dam managers started using an emergency spillway that sent water down a bare hillside, which quickly eroded. As 200,000 people were evacuated downstream with more rain on the way, a problem with dust probably wasn’t on the minds of the folks at the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).

But on March 16, the Los Angeles Times reported that air and soil analysis at the Oroville dam site, where debris was being removed, revealed one of the most dreaded airborne particulates out there: cancer-causing asbestos. Naturallyoccurring asbestos is not uncommon in California, but still, the state was obliged to produce dust-control measures, to protect workers at the site and residents in the area who may be affected. News releases from the dWR indicated that they were using water, at least at first, to keep the dust down. Methods included wetting the soil with water trucks and things like washing the trucks and truck tires on the vehicles used at the site.

Click here to read the full article regarding dust control