Study on the Mechanism of Heap Leaching of High-clay Ore He aps with Heap inside Solution Distribution

Penetration effect is a key factor affecting the efficiency of hea p leaching. High-clay heaps are classified into ore heap, mullock heap and rar eearth-rich hills in south China. The way in which leaching solution(including heap top distribution, heap slope distribution, heap inside distribution and he ap bottom distribution) is an important factor affecting the penetration effect of high-clay heap leaching. By analyzing the penetration characteristics of leaching solution in the high-clay heaps and the leaching dynamics of ore h eaps, it is shown that heap inside solution distribution is the best type, becau se it is not only suitable for heap leaching of high-clay heap with poor penetr ability, but also can reduce the time in which leach liquor carrying gas reaches heap inside or even heap bottom, as well as reduce or eliminate completely the negative influence resulting from rainy or low temperature weather. From laborat ory test and practical production of in-situ leaching of rare earth-rich hil ls, it is shown that the heap inside solution distribution has a good adaptabili ty to high-clay ore heaps.