2025 Figure 10 – Locations and umber of torque and weight events after applying rigid multidirectional geogrids. Beyond pavement performance, this finding suggests secondary benefits including: • Reduced mechanical fatigue on truck components • Lower likelihood of unscheduled maintenance • Improved fleet availability 5. CARBON FOOTPRINT AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS 5.1 Assessment Approach and Resource Demand To evaluate the environmental implications of replacing the conventional haul road configuration with the mechanically stabilized alternative, a comparative carbon footprint assessment was conducted considering material production, transport distances, and construction-related equipment use for both solutions. The analysis focused on a representative haul road segment 1,000 m long and 20 m wide (20,000 m²), using project-specific quantities and logistics derived from actual implementation. The objective was not to perform a comprehensive academic life cycle assessment, but rather to quantify the practical emissions difference between a thickness-based structural design and a stabilization-based approach under real mining conditions. In the conventional configuration, structural capacity was achieved primarily through mass placement of granular materials. For the evaluated segment, this required approximately 20,000 m³ of rock fragments forming the structural platform, 14,000 m³ of itabirite material in the sub-base, and 6,000 m³ of selected gravel for the wearing course. This material-intensive approach relied heavily on aggregate extraction, hauling, and placement to provide load-bearing performance. In contrast, the reinforced solution improved structural behavior through mechanical confinement, allowing a reduction in high-volume rock layers while incorporating geosynthetic stabilization. For the same geometry, the optimized configuration required approximately 16,000 m³ of itabirite material, 8,000 m³ of selected gravel, and 20,000 m² each of multidirectional rigid geogrid and nonwoven geotextile. By enhancing load distribution through confinement, the structure achieved the required trafficability with lower aggregate demand. Transport distances considered in the evaluation averaged approximately 5 km for itabirite materials and 30 km for selected aggregates, reflecting the mine’s supply configuration. Because the reinforced solution reduced the need for thick rock platforms and repeated material rehandling, it also decreased
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