Abstract
This paper reports on a study sponsored by Mt Leyshon Gold Mines to evaluate the potential of artificial soil and compacted covers to reduce infiltration to underlying waste dump material. Hydraulic and moisture retention properties of the cover were determined using laboratory tests and in-situ tests on a trial plot. Computer models were used to evaluate the effect of various characteristics of the seal system on infiltration. The long term drainage through the cover was determined from simulations using a 26 year period of recorded rainfall intensity. It is shown that maximum annual drainage can be reduced by more than 70% by relatively thin uncompacted layers of the artificial soil, and by more than 85% by compacted layers.