The Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL) is a composite material consisting of two geotextiles that confine a bentonite clay core. Upon contact with water, the clay expands significantly, making the GCL’s primary function to act as a hydraulic barrier, serving as a secondary waterproofing system in civil engineering and environmental works.
Advantages / benefits
Advanced impermeability: Provides significantly higher impermeability than low-permeability soils, ensuring an effective barrier against liquid and gas migration.
Protection of waterproofing systems: Acts as a secondary layer that reinforces and protects primary waterproofing systems such as geomembranes.
Installation efficiency: Does not require compaction, enabling fast installation with reduced logistical effort related to material transport.
Cost reduction: Eliminates the need to transport large volumes of compacted clay, reducing excavation and earthmoving requirements.
Applications
Sanitary landfills
Heap leach pads
Tailings storage facilities
Water dams
Storage tanks
Application sectors
Mining
Energy
Hydrocarbons
Urban development
Mining
Energy
Hydrocarbons
Urban development
Mining
Energy
Hydrocarbons
Urban development
Application sectors
Waterproofing of Pad 1 – Phase III, Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, Arequipa, Peru
Waterproofing of Pad 1 – Phase III, Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, Arequipa, Peru
Waterproofing of Pad 1 – Phase III, Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, Arequipa, Peru
With approximately 75 hectares waterproofed, Phase III of Heap Leach Pad 1 at Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, located in the district of Uchumayo, Arequipa, represents a key advancement in ensuring operational and environmental safety for copper and molybdenum production processes.
During this phase, a waterproofing system combining geomembranes and GCLs was implemented, providing a highly effective hydraulic barrier against liquid and gas seepage, exceeding the performance of low-permeability soils.
The ease of installation—without the need for compaction or transportation of large volumes of clay—significantly reduced execution times and earthmovingrelated costs. In addition, the GCL was installed on steep rocky slopes beneath the geomembrane, further enhancing the waterproofing performance of the project.
Waterproofing of Pad 1 – Phase III, Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, Arequipa, Peru
With approximately 75 hectares waterproofed, Phase III of Heap Leach Pad 1 at Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, located in the district of Uchumayo, Arequipa, represents a key advancement in ensuring operational and environmental safety for copper and molybdenum production processes.
During this phase, a waterproofing system combining geomembranes and GCLs was implemented, providing a highly effective hydraulic barrier against liquid and gas seepage, exceeding the performance of low-permeability soils.
The ease of installation—without the need for compaction or transportation of large volumes of clay—significantly reduced execution times and earthmovingrelated costs. In addition, the GCL was installed on steep rocky slopes beneath the geomembrane, further enhancing the waterproofing performance of the project.
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Success stories
Dynamic Barriers Against Debris Flows – Chosica, Lima, Peru
stability and containment
The Problem In recent years, the district of Chosica in Lima has been affected by debris flows (huaicos) generated in its ravines. In 2015 alone, nine fatalities were reported, 341...
We have partnered with Rival + Tubos + in Ecuador to drive the infrastructure of the future!
GeosyntheticsLATAM
At Grupo TDM, we are proud to serve as the official supplier of geomembranes (HDPE and LLDPE), extruded geogrids, and geocells for Rival Tubos. This strategic alliance enables us to...
Dynamic Barriers Against Debris Flows – Chosica, Lima, Peru
stability and containment
The Problem In recent years, the district of Chosica in Lima has been affected by debris flows (huaicos) generated in its ravines. In 2015 alone, nine fatalities were reported, 341...
We have partnered with Rival + Tubos + in Ecuador to drive the infrastructure of the future!
GeosyntheticsLATAM
At Grupo TDM, we are proud to serve as the official supplier of geomembranes (HDPE and LLDPE), extruded geogrids, and geocells for Rival Tubos. This strategic alliance enables us to...