Improvement of heap leaching pile bottom impermeability

The article addresses the problem connected with the environmental safety of heap leaching of noble and rare earth metals through improvement of impermeability of pile bottom. Heap leaching assumes selective dissolution of valuable components in toxic solutions and subsequent separation of the valuable components from pregnant solutions. Thus, it is critical to control compliance with the ecological safety standards. This study proposes an integrated multi-layered structure of the heap leaching pile bottom as drainage-and-shielding layers composed of fibrous polymers and water-proof polymeric film layers. The theoretical investigation and trials of fibrous polymer–rock macro contacts determined the optimal heights of the upper and lower shielding layers of fibrous polymers. The multi-layer pile bottom composed of two protective polymeric layers, polymeric film and hydro-active sealing component improves impermeability of pile bottom in heap leaching of ores, tailings and concentrates. Such pile bottom structure reduces probability of ecological risks in heap leaching.

Gerasimov V. M., Nizhegorodcev E. I. Improvement of heap leaching pile bottom impermeability. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(2):120-126. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/02361493-2021-2-0-120-126.

V.M. Gerasimov¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Head of Chair,
E.I. Nizhegorodcev¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.),
¹ Transbaikal State University, 672039, Chita, Russia.

E.I. Nizhegorodcev, e-mail: dj_world@mail.ru.

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