NATURALLY BETTER^®

Natural Gilsonite® uintaite is
non-hazardous and non-toxic.It is a very pure resinous rock, formed of a complex combination of different kinds of hydrocarbons. This unique natural combination, rich in nitrogen and beta-carotenes and low in sulfur, is what makes Gilsonite® so special. Its unique chemical and physical properties make Gilsonite® a high-performance, multipurpose additive that is also a cost-effective solution.

THERE’S ONLY ONE GILSONITE

Gilsonite® uintaite is only found in one place in the world—the Uinta Basin of Northeastern Utah, where American Gilsonite controls significant reserves. Some companies claim to offer “gilsonite” from other parts of the world, but these products are simply misidentified in order to take advantage of Gilsonite® uintaite’s internationally recognized quality and proven performance. Because these other materials are not true uintaites, they have inferior performance due to their different physical and chemical properties. If it doesn’t come from American Gilsonite Company, it simply isn’t Gilsonite®.

PURITY AND QUALITY

Gilsonite® uintaite is found in nearly straight, vertical veins across an area approximately 100 kilometers long and 50 kilometers wide. Gilsonite® was formed by a unique geologic event millions of years ago that caused a proto-petroleum deposit forming at that time to fill large surface cracks, later solidifying into the pure resinous rock mined today. Gilsonite® uintaite is hand-mined in underground shafts using pneumatic jack hammers. We separate Gilsonite® by temperature grade, dry and screen it, size it to customer specifications, and submit it to extensive quality control procedures before shipping to over 80 countries worldwide.

If you’d like to order Gilsonite® or find out more about its superior performance, please contact us.

An independent study was conducted to determine how the physical and chemical properties of Gilsonite® uintaite performed compared to Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA). The study compared a typical mastic asphalt bitumen modified with 24.4% TLA and formulations of bitumen modified with Gilsonite® at significantly lower concentrations of 5%.

Gilsonite provides clear performance advantages over TLA

Compared to the TLA mixture, the samples modified with Gilsonite® uintaite provided greater resistance to rutting, cracking and deformation while also providing the ability to withstand colder temperatures without breaking.

Compared to the TLA mixture, the samples modified with Gilsonite® uintaite provided greater resistance to rutting, cracking and deformation while also providing the ability to withstand colder temperatures without breaking.

Improved Fatigue Resistance

Gilsonitc® enhances viscosity and reduces fatigue and cracking

Improved Cracking Resistance

Gilsonite® provides superior cold temperature performance

Improved Rutting Resistance

Gilsonite® increases softening point to resist rutting and moisture

Less material = less energy required and significantly lower costs

A formulation with 24.4% TLA uses five times the additive as a mixture using 5% Gilsonite®. This reduction in additives can result in a 13% or more decrease in materials costs. When combined with lower energy costs required for blending, Gilsonite® provides significant savings.

The findings clearly demonstrate that Gilsonite®-modified binders make stronger, longer lasting roads, and that Gilsonite® uintaite is a superior alternative to the industry’s current mastic asphalt standard.

Contact us to learn more about the world’s only true source of Gilsonite® and how it can improve the performance and reduce the costs of your asphalt projects.

As an asphalt binder modifier, the unique properties of Gilsonite® uintaite make a road that is less susceptible to high-temperature and deformation performance issues. When these modified binders are used in recycled asphalt pavements,Gilsonite® adds back what time has taken from the old asphalt, making it easier to use more of this recycled material. The Gilsonite®-modified asphalt binder will produce a stronger road that can be thinner by nearly 20 percent compared with other pavements.For more information about this application, please contact us.

As an aggregate modifier, Gilsonite® uintaite can be added directly at the hot mix plant with no additional equipment. The excellent bonding properties of Gilsonite® will produce a high-strength, high-performance pavement that also resists water stripping.

High strength and durability
Superior deformation performance
Reduced pavement thickness
Reduced temperature susceptibility
Increased resistance to water stripping

Gilsonite® makes roads stronger to last longer.

PAVEMENT SEALERS

Gilsonite® uintaite’s proven properties make high-performance solvent-based and emulsion pavement sealers dry quicker, look better and last longer. Gilsonite® is Naturally Better®. As a natural antioxidant, it allows pavement sealers to stay blacker longer. Gilsonite® uintaite’s unique molecular fractions rejuvenate the pavement being sealed. The strong bonding properties of Gilsonite® help weatherproof the sealer.

Making longer-lasting pavement helps the environment. By rejuvenating pavements with recycled asphalt instead of replacing them, there is a proven significant reduction in energy used as well as a reduction in required resources. For further information please contact us.

Natural antioxidant
Rejuvenates pavement
Excellent bonding properties
Superior appearance and weathering properties

PRODUCTS

Gilsonite® HMA Binder
Gilsonite® HMA Modifier

Asphalt Product Overview

A West Texas O&G operator wanted to reduce slurry costs for its lightweight cement applications in the Permian Basin. The cementing company, West Texas Cementers (WTC), an independent cementing company in Odessa, Texas, replaced hollow beads with Gilsonite® uintaite. The result was a significant reduction in slurry costs.

WTC had typically used hollow beads as the lightweight additive in a 10.5 ppg cement system. “Our client asked us to provide a less expensive slurry with the same technical performance,” observed Kevin Swikert, WTC Engineer and Technology Manager. “We made a couple of additive substitutions in our cement system, with the primary change being to replace beads with Gilsonite® G-Bond.”

Additional tests were conducted for offset wells in the Delaware Basin. Further testing showed that Gilsonite® G-Bond reduced slurry costs in a wide range of cement formulations, with up to 37% savings in an 11.0 ppg mixture.

“Other additives can change your design parameters. With Gilsonite® G-Bond, you don’t have to worry about that,” Swikert added. “In addition, Gilsonite® controls free water, lowers the slurry water ratio, prevents lost circulation, increases yield and mixes faster without foaming. I’m sold on Gilsonite® G-Bond as a cheaper option to glass beads. The other performance enhancements are an added benefit.”

Contact us to learn more about the world’s only true source of Gilsonite® and how Gilsonite® G-Bond can benefit your company.

An independent study was recently conducted to determine how the physical and chemical properties of Gilsonite® uintaite performed compared to Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA). The study compared a typical mastic asphalt bitumen modified with 24.4% TLA and formulations of bitumen modified with Gilsonite® at significantly lower concentrations of 5% and 6%. All of the formulations used a bitumen content of 8.2% in order to yield acceptable results in workability as well as deformation resistance.

Compared to the TLA mixture, the samples modified with Gilsonite® uintaite:

Increased the softening point, which would result in a greater resistance to rutting.

Increased viscosity and elasticity, which reduces the likelihood of roadway cracking.

Showed lower static and dynamic indentation, indicating a greater resistance to permanent deformation.

Demonstrated superior cold temperature performance, with both greater breaking strength and the ability to withstand colder temperatures.

Used only one-fifth as much product, which would mean faster and simpler mixing, reduced costs of shipping and handling and greatly reduced material costs.

The findings clearly demonstrated that Gilsonite®-modified binders can help make stronger, longer lasting roads, and that Gilsonite® uintaite should be considered an advantageous alternative to the industry’s current mastic asphalt standard.

The employees of American Gilsonite are our most valuable asset. To ensure the health and safety of our workforce, our management team established a continuous improvement program focused on building a strong safety culture. We believe that a safety culture extends far beyond the worksite, and is a lifestyle decision that lies within each of our employees to look out for themselves, their coworkers, and their families. We also feel that a strong safety culture provides opportunity for positive communication and relationships across all levels of the organization; which sets the stage not only for a safe environment, but for a workplace that is positive, efficient and effective.

In 2015, under the direction of Mike Wilhite (Director HS&E), we implemented a safety program that empowers our employees through active participation. The goal of the program is to allow our employees opportunities to take an active role in improving their own safety, the safety of their coworkers, and the safety of their environment. This has resulted in the establishment of a world class safety culture, as evidenced by our outstanding safety record.

American Gilsonite demonstrates sustainability within its mining operations through its minimal impact to the environment. Gilsonite is extracted through underground mines, which results in a very limited disturbance to the surface. Our unique mining method focuses on quality extraction of the ore, allowing American Gilsonite to utilize 100% of the material that is extracted. This technique results in no residual waste piles or long-term environmental concerns. All surface disturbances are fully reclaimed back to their original state.

AGC adheres to all federal, state and local standards and is diligent in maintaining a low reclamation obligation.