Heap Leaching Pads

Heap leach pads are used extensively in the mining industry and generally involve the following aspects: Profiling of the ground to produce drainage to a defined point. This process may involve the placement and control of a large amount of controlled fill and a cushion layer at the surface to receive a geosynthetic liner. Placement of a geomembrane. The geomembrane is usually HDPE. A further cushion or protective layer is placed on the top of the liner. Placement of stacked ore usually with a mechanical stacker. Placement of an irrigation system on the top of the ore through which a mild solvent is dispersed. The solvent percolated through the ore and is trapped on the liner where it is directed to an outlet structure and then to a processing plant where the metal is extracted from the solvent.