Heap leaching in extreme northern climates — Overview of Brewery Creek Mine, Yukon, Canada

Viceroy Minerals Corporation owns and operates the Brewery Creek heap leach gold mine located approximately 55 kilometers southwest of Dawson City, Yukon Canada. Upon startup in November 1996, the Brewery Creek Mine was the northernmost operating heap leach gold mine in North America and one of the most northerly in the world. In order to successfully use the heap leaching technology in extreme northern climates, a number of design features were incorporated into the process flowsheet to effectively operate on a year round uninterrupted basis. A general description of the Brewery Creek mine is given along with a discussion on the design features necessary for operation in extreme arctic conditions.