ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Heap leach pad design requires input from several disciplines, including hydro-metallurgy, process engineering, unsaturated hydrology, civil engineering, geochemistry, hydraulics, geosynthetics design, and geotechnical engineering. One of the many important aspects of heap leach pad design is characterization of the ore to define its mechanical and hydraulic behavior during stacking and leaching conditions. This has become more important in recent years, as the size of leach pads has increased, both laterally and in ore height. Some leach pads in North and South America currently have ore heights exceeding 150 meters (m), with design ore heights over 240 m. Under these conditions, ore compression, permeability, and shear strength become very important factors for heap stability as well as recovery.
