DirtGlue Archives | Global Environmental Solutions LLC

Tailings Dams

Posted on December 29, 2024August 15, 2025 by admin

How DirtGlue® Can Improve the Integrity and Safety of Tailings Dams
Tailings are the by-products generated during the extraction and processing of minerals, often in slurry form, containing both water and residual materials from the mined ore. Tailings must be safely managed to avoid environmental contamination and ensure long-term stability.

Tailings dams are engineered structures built to contain and store tailings in a responsible manner, typically using local materials. The goal is to create a secure containment which is often referred to as a tailings pond that allows for the fine particles to settle while enabling water to be recycled back into the mining process.

However, maintaining the structural integrity of tailings dams is crucial. A failure in the dam could result in the release of unwanted substances into the surrounding environment, which could have ecological consequences. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that tailings dams are designed and maintained to withstand the pressures of water, slurry, and geological conditions.

The Role of DirtGlue® in Tailings Dam Stability
DirtGlue® is a soil stabilization technology that has been proven to enhance the integrity and safety of tailings dams. By improving the cohesion and strength of the materials used to construct the dam, DirtGlue® helps to reduce the risk of erosion, sediment, seepage, and structural failure.

Tailings dams are often built in one of three common designs: upstream, downstream, or centerline. Each design comes with unique challenges when it comes to long-term stability, and DirtGlue® can be beneficial in all these scenarios.

Upstream Dams: In upstream dams, tailings are used as the primary construction material. DirtGlue® can be applied to the tailings themselves to enhance their stability, preventing erosion and the potential failure of the dam. The treatment increases the strength of the tailings, ensuring that the dam holds its shape even as additional layers are added over time.
Downstream Dams: Downstream dams typically use local soils, aggregates, or concrete to build the structure. DirtGlue® can be applied to these materials to improve their cohesion, making them more resistant to water-induced erosion. This is particularly important in areas with frequent rainfall or fluctuating water levels, where the risk of dam failure due to material washout is high.
Centerline Dams: A hybrid between upstream and downstream designs, centerline dams combine both tailings and local materials. DirtGlue® can be used in the interface areas to stabilize the materials and ensure proper bonding between the two, preventing weaknesses that could compromise the dam’s integrity.

Benefits of Using DirtGlue® for Tailings Dams

Enhanced Erosion Control: DirtGlue® effectively reduces the erosion of tailings and construction materials in the dam, minimizing the risk of washouts, especially in areas exposed to wind, rain, or fluctuating water levels.

Sediment elimination: The reduction in erosion from the use of DirtGlue® polymer eliminates embankment rilling and/or erosion that result in sediment at the bottom of the dam wall.

Increased Structural Stability: By bonding soil particles together, DirtGlue® enhances the strength and load-bearing capacity of the dam, ensuring it can withstand the forces exerted by the slurry and water over time.

Reduced Seepage: DirtGlue® helps to reduce the permeability of the dam, minimizing the potential for water to leak through the structure, which could compromise the safety of the tailings pond and the surrounding environment.

Dust Control: An additional benefit of DirtGlue stabilization on tailings dams is the added dust control during prolonged dry times.

Long-Term Cost Savings: By improving the stability and durability of the dam, DirtGlue® can reduce maintenance costs and the need for frequent repairs, making it a cost-effective solution in the long run.

Case Studies: DirtGlue® in Action
GES has successfully implemented DirtGlue® in multiple tailings dam projects, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving the structural integrity of these critical containment systems. In each case, the application of DirtGlue® helped enhance the cohesion of the dam materials, reduce erosion, and prevent potential breaches, all while ensuring that the surrounding environment remained protected.

Tailings dams play a crucial role in safely managing mining waste, but their stability is vital to prevent environmental disasters. DirtGlue® offers a proven solution for enhancing the strength, cohesion, and long-term durability of tailings dams. Whether used in upstream, downstream, or centerline dam designs, DirtGlue® helps mitigate risks associated with erosion, seepage, and structural failure, making it an invaluable tool in the mining industry.

Capping or Sealing Stockpiles for Dust Control, Sediment Control and Erosion Control in Construction, Mining, and Environmental Remediation

Posted on December 5, 2024August 15, 2025 by admin

Managing stockpiles is essential in construction, large infrastructure projects, mining, aggregate quarries, and heavy industrial operations. Whether stockpiling sand, stone, ore, coal, mining tailings, or soil, these materials are stored in various stages, from extraction to end-use. Proper stockpile dust control and stockpile capping solutions are essential to ensure regulatory compliance, safety, and minimal environmental impact. Capping with DirtGlue® polymer is much more effective than silt fences and tarps.

Challenges in Stockpile Management
Operators face numerous challenges when managing stockpiles in construction and mining, including:

Material Segregation: Different particle sizes can lead to separation within the pile.
Safety Concerns: Improperly managed stockpiles can pose significant safety risks to workers.
Environmental Compliance: Stockpile dust control is critical to minimize airborne particles, reduce visibility issues, and comply with environmental regulations.

Dust and sediment from stockpiles can create serious environmental and health hazards. Effective dust control is essential to prevent dust pollution, reduce complaints from nearby communities, and maintain clear visibility on site.

Stockpile Dust Control Solutions
Moisture is a natural dust control agent. When the moisture content in stockpiled materials is increased, particles bind together, reducing dust. However, weather conditions like rainfall, drought, and humidity fluctuations can impact this natural dust control method, making it temporary and unreliable.

In addition, excess moisture can alter the storage properties of materials. For instance, dry sand typically has an angle of repose of about 32 degrees, but when wet, it increases to 40 degrees. As the moisture evaporates, shifting can occur, potentially causing structural issues within the stockpile and putting workers at risk.

Traditional Capping Solutions
Covering stockpiles with tarps has been a traditional method for capping and controlling dust. While effective to some extent, tarps can become costly as their size increases. They are also vulnerable to UV degradation and storm damage, often requiring frequent replacement or repair.

Advanced Solution: DirtGlue® for Stockpile Capping, Sediment Control, and Dust Control
For a more reliable and sustainable solution, DirtGlue® polymer emulsion offers superior stockpile capping and dust control, tailored for the unique demands of construction and mining. This water-based, environmentally friendly product binds materials such as soil, coal, sand, stone, and mining tailings to create a durable, long-lasting cap that prevents dust emissions.

Key Benefits of DirtGlue® for Stockpile Dust Control and Capping:

Fast and Easy Application: DirtGlue® can be applied using standard hydroseed equipment, covering stockpiles quickly and efficiently.
Cost-Effective Alternative: DirtGlue® provides an affordable, long-term dust control solution.
Weather-Resistant and Durable: DirtGlue® remains intact through various weather conditions, ensuring continued protection.
Seamless and Complete Seal: Provides a complete and uniform seal across the entire stockpile.
Environmentally Friendly: The polymer is non-hazardous, VOC-free, and water-based, making it a sustainable choice for stockpile dust control.
Keep excess water out: preserve materials that benefit form remaining dry.

DirtGlue works by penetrating and bonding with soil particles to create a hard, dust-free, water-resistant crust, providing durable stockpile dust control and sediment control. The product is designed to withstand the elements and ensures that materials stay contained, meeting both environmental regulations and safety standards.

Why DirtGlue® is Ideal for Construction and Mining
For construction and mining projects, which often involve large stockpiles of dust-prone materials, DirtGlue® offers a solution that not only simplifies operations but also ensures long-term effectiveness. With DirtGlue®, operators can experience fewer maintenance interruptions, safer work environments, and improved environmental outcomes.

DirtGlue® is a trusted Environmental Remediation Product
When windblown contaminant transport is a concern, DirtGlue® provides superfund sites and other remediation locations long-term protection. When using DirtGlue® to cap contaminated sites, environmental remediators can eliminate wind-blown contamination and prevent unnecessary material excavation with a simple and robust application that provides long-term environmental protection.

Choose DirtGlue® for Effective Stockpile Dust Control, Sediment Control, and Capping
With DirtGlue®, stockpile management becomes efficient, sustainable, and hassle-free. It’s the ultimate solution for achieving comprehensive dust control, maintaining compliance, and enhancing site safety. No more dealing with the headache of stockpile dust control, use a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for dust control and stockpile capping.

DirtGlue® makes stockpile dust control and capping easier!

10 Reasons To Choose Global Environmental Solutions for your Soil Stabilizing Project

Posted on November 17, 2020August 15, 2025 by admin

1. Our products are environmentally safe – developed for the earth, with the earth in mind.

2. We’ve been working within the soil stabilization industry for 20 years now (originally started as DirtGlue Enterprises – which is still the forefront namesake of our line of terrain management products).

3. We listen. GES is not going to provide you with a cookie-cutter, out-of-the-box solution. We’re going to hear what your issue at hand is.

4. We believe in science (and use it as a tool). Following the “listening” portion above, we take the education you’ve granted us from your pain and customize the right product driven by scientific research and modernized technology utilization. The idea is to come up with an application that solves any variable that might exist and pose a challenge to the fruitful culmination and inherent solution of your project.

5. We like to play in the dirt. With experience, comes experience. And with that experience and understanding, we can make better informed decisions on how to manage the “dirt” we’re working with…

6. Consider our DirtGlue® line of products if you have a need in any of these areas:

Permanent dust control
Embankment stabilization
Sub-grade stabilization
“Green” paving using industrial polymer as a bonding agent
All soil stabilizing requirements
Erosion control
Stockpile capping
And really any terrain management/control

solution you may be on the hunt for…

7. We have sales and service locations worldwide, so, we’re global, and readily available for you whenever, and wherever you need it!

8. We are a veteran owned business.

9. Our goal and operative mission has been – since day one – to provide the best possible results in an industry where ‘good’ just isn’t good enough. We strive for technical and ecological superiority; every product, every project, all the time.

10. We solve problems related to soil management – and we enjoy it.

Searching for proven environmental solutions? See how GES tackles dust, erosion, and soil stabilization challenges with innovative, eco-friendly products used worldwide.

Property Improvement with DirtGlue® at the Core

Posted on July 28, 2020August 15, 2025 by admin

As COVID-19 and its inherent “social distancing” measures continue to sweep the nation, some businesses have largely been deemed “essential” at the outset. By and large, business that maintain a safe distance for employees and customers have been “safe” and in the clear; this includes outdoor works such as those employed by and operating landscaping companies. And, at this time of year, landscaping and outdoor terrain/property improvement are at the forefront of many peoples’ minds.

We thought, as an escape, we’d present four quick ways properties can be improved upon, and how DirtGlue® products help shape each one of them. Any landscape company worth their salt knows the ins, outs, and advantages of doing things right, and doing them right the first time. That recipe ought to include DirtGlue®. Right? Right.

Landscaping – Landscaping can take on many different meanings, but for the purpose of this post, we’ll discuss the actual development of a lush lawn, and the healthy vegetation required to achieve a desirable landscaped space that is free of environmental issues such as erosion, improper drainage, and the like. So, we’ll begin with hydroseeding… Hydromulching, at its core, is an essential element to many processes involving the healthy and vast cultivation of expansive vegetation – primarily that of grasses.
Sometimes referred to as hydroseeding, the hydromulch process is a faster, more economical way to bring get vegetative coverage over large areas quickly and economically and to increase the likelihood of seed germination. This is to the benefit of contractors worldwide, laying down and planting seed from applications from residential lawns to commercial and government projects such as seeding roadsides as a means to help protect against dust, erosion and elemental runoff.

Benefits of using DirtGlue® polymer as a tackifying solution –
- Reduces water usage and helps retain available moisture
- Reduces erosion and the effects of erosion
- Improved plant growth
- Binds soil, seed and mulch mediums
- Prevents washouts even in the severest weather
Patio – If you’re considering hardscape, let’s talk about what you’re doing (and using) for infill materials when you’re installing pavers or repairing an existing the patio.
Consider our DirtGlueDry® powdered polymer solution if you appreciate the notion of “working smarter, not harder” when it comes to this application. When mixed with appropriate sand or a sand / stone dust blend and then wetted, DirtGlueDry® powdered polymer cures to form a hardened infill material that is resistant to insect and weed infestation. The product is also proven to tolerate pressure washers and leaf blowers allowing periodic cleaning of the patio without necessitating new infill be put back in after cleaning. Its strength is unrivaled by other solution sets on the market. This option is much lower in cost than purchasing polymerized sand. It also allows you or your installer to customize the strength by adding more or less DirtGlueDry® powdered polymer to the infill material of choice (sand or stone dust sourced locally to reduce cost significantly).

Once you’ve got the infill set, it’s time to focus on the piece of the patio that you actually see, which of course, is the surface…

Engineers, construction contractors, builders, and you, the common DIY homeowner deal with the destructive chemical reactions cement-based building materials suffer due mainly to the exposure to water, which acts as a reaction medium or solvent in this destruction. You work tirelessly to make repairs, and patch compromised spots within the infrastructure of your patio. Why not consider a solution that, quite simply, lasts?

Film formers/barrier type technologies (coatings) have been widely used, but due to weathering and ultraviolet exposure these coatings have limited lifespan and thus periodic reparative applications are required. This issue has been revolutionarily remediated with the all-inclusive protective properties of MasonProof™, which is a permanent waterproofing product that does not change the color or texture of the treated surface.
Drainage / Erosion – Soil erosion and embankment control is a problem that many contractors face when trying to shore a landscape that is subject to runoff from a storm, general rain, or seasonal change. It’s a natural process, which occurs due to detachment and movement of topsoil by the action of wind and flowing water. In many cases, the lack of vegetation cover on existing slopes is often responsible for the formation of rills and rain cuts eventually leading to sliding of slopes.
These soil and embankment erosion control challenges are either met at the outset / design phase of a new construction project, or they’re tackled as the issue pops up organically whether at a property, or on the side of the road where embankments are in no short supply.

Products such as our tried and true DirtGlue® polymer will penetrate the surface by binding with the soil to form a tough, durable, three-dimensional matrix layer of protection. Combining superior film strength and adhesive properties, DirtGlue® polymer is the ideal solution for dust control in non-traffic areas, stockpile capping and stabilizing slopes and embankments. When hydroseeding, substituting DirtGlue® polymer in place of a traditional, old style tackifier increases germination rate, decreases germination time, and eliminates washouts, rilling and, erosion. Using DirtGlue® polymer as the tackifier, it will hold even in the toughest conditions, protecting against heavy rain and wind.
Pathways and Pavement – There’s two distinct modes of thinking/delivery here. Pathways, as they are, can mean myriad things. They can be straight native terrain that you’re looking to augment for safer, easier travel. They can be built with some sort of prick, or paver, in which case, we invite you to reference the “patio” portion of this post as it falls pretty directly in line with a pathway built of similar material. And finally, we arrive at pavement, which can be laid for a pathway, or as a larger scale project, be it the drive, parking area, and all of the above.
In order to provide a pavement having good functionality and good lifespan we need first to ensure good base and good drainage, thus we do NOT rely on the pavement for strength but rather for “consolidation of the surface aggregate” such that there is no mud in the wet season and no dust in the dry season.

Things to consider prior to a pavement dump include what it is your pouring the pavement on. Seriously, what’s in the terrain? Where is the terrain? What are the challenges associated with the surrounding ecosystem? What’s the drainage situation in the event of any environmental runoff? What’s under the terrain you’re pouring on?

At Global Environmental Solutions, we take to the art of road building seriously. And, we’re serious when we use the word “art.” Because it is. It’s not as easy as what we’ve already mentioned above. You can’t just dump a load of pavement and flatten it out with a roller. There’s a science and craft element to the entire initiation. And, there exists another important question… What’s in the aggregate that makes up your pavement? Do you even know?

Appropriate steps for DGE Polymer Pavement System are as follows:

Ensure good drainage.
Ensure a well stabilized base.
Ensure proper aggregate with correct particle size distribution including 20% – 25% fines (material passing #150 sieve).
Loosen the aggregate in the area to be treated.
DirtGlue® polymer will be applied at a rate of not less than 0.03 gallons per sq. ft. per inch of pavement thickness as calculated before diluting with water. After making calculations dilute the DirtGlue® polymer with approximately one part water (a slight amount more water may be added later if you determine that the aggregate is too dry).
Add the appropriate amount of TerraDry® (if required because of soil/ aggregate type).
Apply the blended liquid (polymer and water) to the aggregate and mechanically mix in thoroughly and evenly. Depending upon type of equipment used this could take two or possibly three applications to get all of the liquid into the soil/aggregate. Keep mixing thoroughly and evenly 2 – 3 inches deep!
Once the aggregate is treated with full amount of the product(s) specified and the product(s) are mixed in completely then level and compact.
Proper curing requires warm temperatures. Do not apply when temps are below 55 or when rain is imminent. Typically, the warmer the better to ensure fast curing.

Searching for proven environmental solutions? See how GES tackles dust, erosion, and soil stabilization challenges with innovative, eco-friendly products used worldwide.

Observations from the Worksite: The Rise of DGCool™, the Industry’s First Cold Climate Polymer Solution

Posted on April 3, 2020August 15, 2025 by admin

Conversation with D&T Landscaping & Irrigation President Dave Olson

D&T Landscaping & Irrigation have been serving their community in Minnesota since 1980. That’s 40 years of service with a continued value proposition to improve and foster top tiered solutions for all their customers’ unique needs.

One such customer/vertical they’ve long served exists in the mining industry. A reoccurring challenge D&T has been faced with is in utilizing a dust suppressant solution that keeps potential environmentally harmful fugitive dust particles onsite rather than floating around in the air. The challenge is further heightened by the fact that the different experiences Minnesota is faced with from naturally occurring seasonal shifts had compromised past remedial attempts. D&T utilized an assortment of polymer based products as a potential solution (as opposed to their typical mode of attack – hay) from several different companies over the years. Finally, three years ago they came in to contact with Global Environmental Solutions who have worked closely with D&T owner/president, Dave Olson, to create an exact solution to their working problem(s). This relationship led to GES developing their latest product offering, DGCool™.

Keep reading to learn more about the challenge, the approach, the solution, and the overall experience with GES and DGCool™:

How’d you learn about Global Environmental Solutions and their DirtGlue® line of products?

Dave Olson: Well, what we do is we provide dust suppression services for the steel and tackamine mines over here in Minnesota. We’ve historically used hay to suppress the dust permeating from the mines. The Challenge with that is these conditions. These tailings basins that we work in are wet. Getting a piece of equipment down there is extremely challenging so we started exploring using polymers as a potential way to hold the dust down until we could get other equipment out there to cover it up.

We tried probably six different products to accomplish this from five different companies and GES or DirtGlue® was the only company that was willing to reformulate their product to best serve our unique conditions. Up to that point we had no products, no polymer based products that were holding the dust down on our tailings basin.

DGCool™ came out of that effort to kind of redesign the product to hold in colder temperatures. When we’re transitioning from fall into winter and then again from winter to spring, we go through a frost / freeze process where the tailings freeze generally at night, warm up, moisture draws out and then we’re kind of okay for the day. But once it starts to freeze, it’s a really fine product, the moisture evaporates and any wind that picks up from below wipes it out. That’s an issue because in these mines, the dust is considered fugitive dust, which is not ideal. Obviously, our goal is to keep that dust in place.

How long have you been working with GES?

Olson: We had tried a bunch of polymers from a number of companies because by-and-large the marketing shtick is everyone claims to have the solution you/we need. When we solicited the help of GES three years ago we started by using two of their products, DirtGlue® and DustLess®. A lot of polymers act similarly, but there are certain elements to each that are proprietary, which is why we tried two different products and the products of other vendors. We wanted to see what would work best for our challenges.

Two years ago we tried a large 100-acre deployment of GES’s DirtGlue® product and it did not withstand the frost / freeze process. It would freeze and peel off and didn’t solve the problem. So I went back to Chris (Rider) and explained what was happening – what we were hoping for – and that’s when he started reformulating the recipe based off of tailings samples we sent at his request. This was the beginning of what would become their DGCool™ solution.

How did GES work with you to outfit you with the best possible solution for your unique challenge? What can you say about the working relationship between all involved?

Olson: What I like about Chris and GES is he’s continually taking a proactive approach and even still asks for tailings samples so the company can work to improve upon what we’ve put to action. They don’t simply rest on what they’ve delivered and move on – they stay actively engaged and strive to maintain advanced improvement.

They were the only company that came back and asked how it went. “How did it go? What were your application rates?” Of all the other companies, they’re the only one that called back. We’re not in this for a one-time sale, we’re looking to solve a problem, so that gets me enthused about the working relationship…

You worked with GES to help facilitate a working test example of the effectiveness of their new DGCool™ product. Tell us about the application. What can you say about the product? How did it help you accomplish what you were looking to achieve?

Olson: It held until we got snow, which is good. Once we get snow there is no dust problem until spring (for obvious reasons). So we’ll know exactly what we’re dealing with when the snow melts and water starts to runoff as it does in spring. If the product is still there, we’ve done it.

We have the product at two sites, a 100-acre site and a 5-acre one. They both held until we got the snow on the ground, which is encouraging. It’s definitely much better than what it was. Prior to this year we tried a different deployment method which was application via helicopter. The first year we used a bucket with large spray nozzles. The helicopter company came up with a different solution – it wasn’t a spray nozzle but more of a rotating spin, gravity feed out, which was a much better solution. So the combination of the product and the delivery method is how we’ve gotten to where we are this year.

Would you recommend GES and their products to people in your industry?

Olson: Yes and no (laughs). Yes because they offer exemplary service and work with the customer to tweak their product to match exactly what the customer needs. This can’t be understated. I jokingly say “no” because in our case I feel like we’re on the cusp of a pretty proprietary solution and application set that separates what we’re doing in the market. But I think as far as what we know as of right now, absolutely I would. GES has been a real pleasure to work with, and the relationship continues to develop as we both look to improve upon what we’ve accomplished thus far, which is exciting for all parties involved.

Between Rose and Chris I can’t say enough good things about the GES team. I’ve felt like from the start they’ve been engaged with me to help me solve a problem. Since the inception we’ve been working closely to help solve the challenge at hand and we’ve collectively kept peeling the onion. For instance, when we started we had a problem with our pump system at the application stage. Come to find out, the polymer heats up to a pretty high temperature and the seals of the deployment pump would fail. I called Chris to ask him what he thought was happening and he was like, ‘if you’re not immediately trying to pump that through the pump prior to it heating up, yeah, it’s going to wreck the seals.’ So we solved the problem by finding a high-temperature chemical seal, which he was engaged with at the outset. I can’t even begin to tell you how many emails he sent me with resources full of information to look into when it came to finding an appropriate seal.

As we’ve gone through evaluating the product, they’ve been there. They want to help us find the perfect solution. I have no doubt that if we come out of spring and the product has deteriorated or is non-existent, Chris is going to be right there and spend more time trying to figure out where we go to move forward and solve it. That’s the kind of guy he is…

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Need reliable soil stabilization through winter? Discover why DGCool® is designed for cold-weather applications that keep your project on track.

GES: For the Earth, with the Earth in Mind.

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