Heap leaching solutions for efficient metal extraction
Heap leaching has become a pivotal method in the mining industry, significantly enhancing the extraction of metals such as gold, copper, nickel, uranium, and rare earth elements. This technique involves stacking ore in heaps and applying a leaching solution to dissolve valuable metals, which are then collected for further processing. The success of heap leaching heavily relies on effective containment systems to prevent environmental contamination and ensure operational efficiency. Naue offers advanced geosynthetic solutions, including Carbofol® high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes, which provide exceptional chemical resistance and durability, essential for lining heap leach pads and solution trenches. Additionally, Secutex® geotextiles offer robust protection and enhance frictional stability for geomembranes on challenging terrains and under substantial ore heaps. By integrating these geosynthetic materials, mining operations can achieve improved metal recovery rates, environmental compliance, and cost-effectiveness in their heap leaching processes
How the global mining industry controls its costs and improves environmental performance
Without question, heap leach has become an enormous driver to the growth of mining operations around the world. Several decades ago, only about 3% of copper and gold supplies were produced through heap leaching. Today, the volume is surpassing 30% annually. Valuable chalcopyrite copper, previously not considered economical in heap leach development, is now heap leached, as is nickel laterite, uranium, and even rare earths. The growth of heap leaching is heavily tied to the massive scale on which mines are being built, with some sites requiring huge investments. Heap leach stacks can near 200m as operations look to more quickly prove and sustain site yield.
Heap leaching accomplishes this—but only with the containment support of geosynthetics. Geomembranes and geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are used for heap leach pads liners, pregnant solution trench liners, processing pits, onsite water storage, raincoat covers over ore stacks to shed stormwater (rather than dilute the leach heap solution), and onsite wastewater management.
Geosynthetic lining solutions enable steep slope (including mountaintop) developments. Pregnant solution fl ows more easily from heaped ore, and valuable material is not lost in seepage into soils or local waters. Onsite water is managed more efficiently, which also improves site costs, as water and wastewater management is a major cost in mining.
In these ways, improving the economics of mining with geosynthetic containment solutions is also the best way to improve the long-term environmental performance in mining.
Naue Solutions for heap leaching
Carbofol® high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes feature exceptional chemical, stress crack, and UV resistance. They have the durability and chemical compatibility to withstand aggressive mining heap leach solutions in stacks and solution trenches. Available texturing can enhance the frictional characteristics necessary for lining system slope stability. And for onsite water management and processing fluid containment, Carbofol® is exceptional.
Geomembranes are not all that mining sites require. Secutex® geotextiles provide long-term, robust protection of and frictional stability for geomembranes on difficult terrain and in tall ore stack scenarios.
Additionally, composite lining solutions (Carbofol® geomembranes with Bentofix® GCLs) provide dependable, efficient, long-term lining performance for improved heap leach economics and environmental performance in nearly all mining operations.
