Widening knowledge about the use of geosynthetics in Mexico's mining sector was given a boost after IGS Mexico held its first such symposium.

The Chapter, known as the Mexican Society of Geotechnical Engineering, welcomed delegates from around the world to the 1st International Symposium of Tailings Storage Facilities, held in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Themed 'Non-conventional systems for building tailings dams', the three-day event, from March 13-15, last year, aimed to share the state of the art and best practices on planning, design, construction, operation and new technologies for the management of waste water tanks at different stages of their lifecycle. A special focus was given to risk analysis and management.

A comprehensive technical programme included the participation of Eng. Juan de Dios Aleman, chairman of the technical committee of tailing dams at the Mexican Society of Soil Mechanics. There were also keynote lectures by renowned international experts, as well as several paper presentation sessions, and the attendance of the TC 221 Technical Committee on Tailings and Mine Wastes, of the ISSMGE (International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering).

IGS Mexico Vice-President Oscar Escamilla said: "Having participated in the event together with other colleagues who have become friends was very rewarding, and meeting many experts on these topics. It was a golden opportunity for members of IGS Mexico to extend their horizons to the large Mexican mining market that needs to understand good practices in the use of geosynthetics."

Francisco Pizarro, chair of the IGS Pan-American Regional Activities Committee, added: "As chair of the Pan-American Committee, it is nice to see the revitalization of such an important Chapter for our IGS. In Mexico, geosynthetics have played a significant role to overcome the immense geotechnical challenges the country has, which has also led to tremendous research and academic contribution."

Find out more about IGS Mexico events by following its LinkedIn page.