Discussion on key points of present heap leaching process

Since the last ten years,the heap leaching process has been generally applied around the world and become one of the major processes for mineral processing plants.The categories of raw ore and materials which can be processed by the heap leaching process are broad,including oxide ore,secondary sulfide ore,low grade ore,low grade waste stone,tailings,waste slag and etc.Thanks to the success of heap leaching test on sulfide ore,the application of the process will become more extensive.On the basis of analysis of practical heap leaching plant examples in China and abroad and summary of design experience,this paper sums up and demonstrates some features and issues to be considered in the present heap leaching process design.The main contents include the location selection of heap leaching plant and equipment/facilities arrangement,design calculation of heap and anti-flood pond,work system,determination of design index and major process criteria.The general formula of heap leach area calcalation is proposed in the paper while there is no such formula interationally recognized available at present.