Sunmetals Stormwater Evaporation Pond
Sunmetals Zinc Refinery located on the southern outskirts of Townsville, acknowledged as one of the most advanced zinc refineries in the world. Increased production and expansion of the refinery required the construction of a new stormwater evaporation pond.
"The pond was to serve a dual purpose by providing increased evaporation via an increase in surface area (over pre-existing ponds) and an increase in volume for recycling purposes."
The new pond was lined with a 2.0mm thick HDPE membrane, with the requirement for a geotextile protection layer directly underneath the liner. The geotextile specification was for virgin polyester, non-woven, needle punched product of not less than 260gsm.
Geofabrics Australasia supplied a 270gsm needle free bidim® geotextile (A34NF) that would prevent any possibility of damaging the HDPE liner. Supply and installation of these materials was the responsibility of Townsville based Australian Lining Company.
Total bidim®supplied was 144,000m2 of A34NF, 2400m2 of A34 and 1600m2 of A64.