Valorization of Local Resources for Sealing of Mining Facilities: Characterization of A Geosynthetic Clay Liner Using Clay and Kenaf Fibers from Burkina Faso

---

Résumé

Since the early 2000s, Burkina Faso has experienced significant growth in the mining industry, generating large quantities of waste that require strict management in dedicated facilities. To limit pollutant migration in these mining sites, imported manufactured materials such as Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs) and geomembranes are commonly used for sealing purposes. This study explores the use of local resources to develop an alternative clay-based geosynthetic. For this purpose, a woven geotextile made from kenaf fibers from the locality of Nérékorosso was bonded to a local clay collected in the locality of Toula. The properties of this clay were evaluated through several parameters: plasticity index, bulk density, free swell index, cation exchange capacity, specific surface area, and permeability coefficient. This study reveals that the clay from Toula shows a swell index of 4 ml/2 g, a permeability coefficient of 2.86 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s, a cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 12.72 meq/100 g, and a specific surface area of 314.85 cm²/g. The resulting geosynthetic exhibits tensile strengths of 2.03 kN/m in the machine direction and 14.46 kN/m in the cross direction. Although the current properties do not yet meet the regulatory standards for Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs), amending the local clay with bentonite could enhance its sealing performance and offer a more accessible and sustainable solution for mining infrastructure in Burkina Faso.

Mots-clés

Geosynthetic Clay, Kenaf Fibers, Burkina Faso, Geosynthetic clay liner, Sealing, Local Clays, Mining Waste