Randall Pyper, Thom Seal
Heap leaching is a hydrometallurgical recovery process that involves stacking broken ore on an engineered liner and irrigating it with a water-based lixivant to extract metal or mineral values. This chapter delineates the process of heap leaching into dump leaching and crush-and-heap leaching, detailing the methodologies employed for effective metal recovery. Dump leaching utilizes ore from mining activities without significant size reduction, while crush-and-heap leaching involves crushing the ore to enhance surface area and mineral liberation, which in turn improves economic recovery. The application of leach solutions is optimized through designed irrigation systems, ensuring high porosity and adequate fracturing of the ore. Key considerations in heap leach operations include geotechnical evaluations for heap stability, permeability specifications of the clay layers, and the quality control measures necessary during liner installation. The principles of heap leaching operations presented here highlight the intricate balance between engineering design and operational efficiency, providing insights into the complexities involved in hydrometallurgical recovery processes.
@article{9bae5979-9a8f-4ed7-9d0a-4fee6a4ad463,
title={Dump and Heap Leaching},
author={Randall Pyper and Thom Seal},
year={2026},
language={en}
}TY - JOUR TI - Dump and Heap Leaching AU - Randall Pyper AU - Thom Seal PY - 2026 LA - en ER -
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