Syama Mine Airstrip Upgrade – A Durable, Low-Maintenance Solution ✈️
Located 300 km southeast of Bamako and 30 km from the Côte d’Ivoire border, Syama Mine in Mali, West Africa, required a reliable, dust-free, and low-maintenance airstrip to support its mining operations.
The Challenge: A Degraded Airstrip
Resolute Mining sought a long-term solution to address persistent issues, including:
❌ Erosion & material loss, leading to a deteriorating surface.
❌ Cracking, potholes, rutting & corrugation, creating safety concerns.
❌ Excessive dust, reducing visibility for pilots and increasing aircraft maintenance costs.
The Soil Solutions Approach
✔ Pre-Project Preparation – The Syama Mine team followed Soil Solutions’ guidelines to grade and compact the airstrip before the arrival of the application team.
✔ EBS Surface Seal Application – The runway was treated with multiple coats of EBS, creating a sealed, water-resistant surface.
✔ Enhanced Performance & Safety – The upgraded airstrip now offers:
🔹 Increased skid resistance, improving aircraft acceleration and braking.
🔹 Dust elimination, ensuring better visibility and safer landings.
🔹 A hard, all-weather surface, capable of withstanding heavy use and extreme conditions.
Long-Term Benefits & Cost Savings
✅ Reduced Maintenance & Operational Costs – Less frequent grading and repairs mean significant savings.
✅ Lower Water Usage – Eliminating dust reduces the need for ongoing water-based dust suppression.
✅ Safer, More Reliable Airstrip – Improved safety, visibility, and durability, allowing for uninterrupted operations.
With the EBS Surface Seal, Syama Mine now benefits from an efficient, dust-free, and low-maintenance airstrip—ensuring safer, more cost-effective mining operations.
📩 Contact us to learn how Soil Solutions can upgrade your airstrip!
✈️ Case Study: Dust-Free, Cost-Effective Airstrip for Syama Mine, Mali
When Syama Mine needed to enhance the performance of its airstrip, the goal was clear: improve dust control, reduce maintenance costs, and achieve long-term operational savings without compromising efficiency.
Peter Sanders, representing the mine, explains:
“We’ve seen real results: reduced maintenance costs and improved dust control.”
Soil Solutions deployed its EBS Soil Stabilizer / Surface Seal technology, providing a smooth, dust-free surface that supports safe aircraft operations year-round. From start to finish, the process exceeded expectations.
“The EBS application was easier than expected with no issues,” says Peter.
The on-site management and training were standouts, both rated 10/10 by the client:
“On-site management and training were excellent.”
The results spoke for themselves — less frequent maintenance, lower operational costs, and improved safety and visibility on the airstrip. When asked if they would recommend Soil Solutions, Peter was direct:
“I definitely would—and already have—recommended Soil Solutions.”
Key Outcomes:
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Dust-free operations improving safety and visibility
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Reduced maintenance frequency and cost
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Quick, issue-free installation process
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Long-term operational savings
Today, Syama Mine enjoys a more efficient, safer, and cost-effective airstrip — and Soil Solutions is proud to have played a part in that success.
