Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - 38

ECTC NEWS
The Erosion Control
Technology Council
(ECTC) is committed to
promoting cost-effective
erosion and sediment
control solutions through
leadership, standardization
and education. ECTC
assists agencies, engineers,
designers, contractors and
other entities in the proper
application, installation and
specification of erosion and
sediment control technologies
while establishing guidelines
for product quality, testing
and performance.
By Kurt Kelsey
Erosion and sediment control
mine applications
S
uccessful reclamation of mined lands is an important ecological and economic
process recognized by the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC). ECTC is
a leading industry organization home to top manufacturers of erosion and sediment
control products, component suppliers, material distributors and test laboratories. ECTC
members are dedicated to advancing the knowledge, experience and expertise of erosion
and sediment control.
The nonprofit organization's mission is to develop performance standards, uniform
testing procedures, and guidance on the application and installation of hydraulic erosion
control products (HECPs), rolled erosion control products (RECPs) and sediment
retention fiber rolls (SRFRs). ECTC recently expanded its reach to other technologies as
well, and it promotes the use of erosion and sediment control products through industry
leadership and education in the hope of making a substantial contribution to the science
of erosion control and environmental preservation.
ECTC's expertise applies directly to the mining industry and can help return land to a
state that meets or exceeds pre-mining conditions, as required by the 1977 Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act. Together, we have worked to provide successful solutions
on mining sites for decades. There are many different types of mines, so the challenges
across them vary. ECTC's toolbox of specifications and applicable products, which have
been verified through standardized industry testing, are perfect fits for the erosion and
sediment control challenges of the mining world. Also located in ECTC's toolbox online
are CAD installation drawings, installation instructions, " how to " installation videos and
fact sheets about each technology type.
HECPs and RECPs are successful solutions to many revegetation needs at mining sites.
Both technologies contain features and benefits to consider for basic revegetation requirements.
There is a time and place for both at mines.
Slope erosion control needs present themselves during and after mining activities.
Kurt Kelsey is the president
of the Erosion Control
Technology Council and
division director of the Earth
Science Division at American
Excelsior Company.
According to the ECTC specifications, HECPs provide protection on slopes ranging
from flat areas to up to 2H:1V steepness. HECP functional longevity, depending on the
chemistry and fibers used, ranges from one to 12 months.
RECPs are another slope erosion control solution for mines. RECPs contain physical
bonds from stitching, weaving and/or netting that provide tensile that is important for
longer slopes, human and wildlife foot traffic areas, and all other areas and conditions
where chemical bonds are not sufficient. RECP functional longevities range from a few
months with the quickest degrading erosion control blanket (ECB) to turf reinforcement
mats (TRMs) that are not intended to degrade. RECPs can be successful solutions on slopes
up to 1H:1V for the top end ECBs and up to 0.5H:1V slopes for TRMs.
Channelized flow conditions are present at several types of mining sites. The need to
move water safely from one part of the operation to the other without causing excessive
erosion is a common need at mines. ECBs and TRMs are both suitable options depending
on the design requirements and how long the RECP needs to last. There are many ECBs

Geosynthetics August/September 2022

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