Aguas Teñidas Mine, Spain

MATSA controls the exploitation of three mines in the province of Huelva, Spain: Aguas Teñidas mine, Magdalena mine and Sotiel mine. Matsa is in charge of the research and exploitation of these mineral deposits and their treatment in the processing plant located next to the Aguas Teñidas mine, in the municipality of Almonaster la Real. The final product obtained from these mines is copper, zinc and lead concentrate, which is marketed from the ports of Huelva and Algeciras.

For the start of operations at the Sotiel mine, in 2014, the capacity of the Aguas Teñidas mine processing plant was expanded from 2.2 Mt to 4.6 Mt per year. This necessitated an increase in the tailings deposit capacity, as well as the storage and treatment capacity of its water treatment plant. This resulted in the need to waterproof this extension of the tailings deposit and the creation of three water regulation and management ponds.

Solution

Atarfil HD 1.50 mm geomembrane was chosen for this waterproofing need, which required a membrane with very high chemical resistance, a long service life and superior mechanical properties. Both for the waterproofing system of the dry slurry tank and for the creation of the three new water regulation and management basins. Textured high-density polyethylene TMT geomembrane was also used in areas where increased friction was required.