Barrick Goldrush Twin Decline Soil Nail Wall with Shotcrete

In late 2017 GeoStabilization International®, a soil nail wall contractor, was called to the Barrick Goldrush Twin Decline Project, also referred to as the Horse Canyon/Cortez Unified Exploration Project (HCCUEP). In a race against the winter elements to reach the site’s twin declines and bedrock, the project required the stabilization of cut slopes, development of earth retention structures (250 feet ahead of the twin declines), portal entrance development, extensive grading, and the installation of a massive soil retention wall.

GeoStabilization was tasked with providing an alternate design/build strategy. Our engineering group’s design included a rockfall barrier system at the base of the steep slope, the construction of a 30,750 ft2 soil nail wall, and the installation of 4,200 ft2 of Geobrugg TECCO wire mesh. For the soil nail wall, GeoStabilization installed eight hundred and forty-six (846) each soil nails totaling 51,250 linear feet. The shotcrete wall was constructed amidst cold weather conditions. Cold climate protections and application methods were utilized to ensure the shotcrete was cured correctly.

Project particulars included:

• The project’s overall duration was reduced by over 50% using soil nailing with self-drilling soil anchors versus a cased nail variant with GeoStabilization’s value-engineering efforts.
• Design optimization was undertaken at the base of the soil nail wall, where engineered soil repairs with temporary shoring offered the mine further cost savings and schedule improvement.
• More than 10% of the company’s personnel were directly involved in this project from start to finish, along with significant assistance from the travel, safety, training, mechanic, and engineering disciplines.
• The project was 88 miles each way from the closest hotel in rural Nevada.
• The Safety requirements, checklists, and local culture of performing on a mine site were very rigorous, but GeoStabilization’s employees rose to the challenge as a team with one mission.
• During the project, two GeoStabilization family members were recognized for their safety and leadership in written form by Barrick safety officials; during the project, we received zero citations for MSHA violations.

GeoStabilization: Leader in Soil Nail Wall Technology

When the requirement arises to stabilize slope erosion and slope failure so they don’t endanger personnel and infrastructure, GeoStabilization International® provides innovative technologies, fast action, and comprehensive solutions. For over twenty years, our teams have been mitigating landslides and providing residential slope stabilization, slope monitoring, slope protection, and landslide prevention services.

Contact GeoStabilization International® at 855-579-0536 for our geohazard mitigation services.