Leach Dump Operation

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Jorge April 23, 2019

Stripping for the Lavender Pit was started in 1951, with mining operations on stream in
1954 and continuing to the present. All material removed from the pit has been
classified as waste, leach material, milling ore, or direct smelting ore, depending upon
grade and degree of oxidation.

Leach water is pumped through an asbestos-cement, epoxy-lined main and distributed

through 8″, 6″, and 4″ polypropylene pipelines. Distribution is controlled by use of
pinch valves and pinch clamps on the polypropylene pipe.

Ponds are leached for two to three months and are then given a rest time of
approximately one year. The length of time a pond is under leach is determined by
productivity, with longer leach time applied to areas tending to produce higher grade
water.

Effluent water is collected in ponds constructed at two points of natural drainage egress
and is conducted to a pumping station which relays it to the precipitation plant.

Typical results obtained are as follows:

Several problems have been encountered in leaching No. 7 Dump, all of which are
probably typical of most dump leaching operations.

1. Gradually declining tenor of effluent leach water, despite continuous addition of

new ore to the leach heap.
2. Difficulty in obtaining penetration of selected dump areas, characterized by
tendency of waters to migrate laterally in the upper layers of the dump.
3. The unknown location and effect of deposits of iron salts in the dump.

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