Hydrometallurgy: Leaching in Heap, Vat, CIL, CIP, Merrill–Crowe, SX Solvent Extraction

Hydrometallurgy: Leaching in Heap, Vat, CIL, CIP, Merrill–Crowe, SX Solvent Extraction

  • To participate in the 911Metallurgist Forums, be sure to JOIN & LOGIN
  • Use Add New Topic to ask a New Question/Discussion about Hydrometallurgy.
  • OR Select a Topic that Interests you.
  • Use Add Reply = to Reply/Participate in a Topic/Discussion (most frequent).
    Using Add Reply allows you to Attach Images or PDF files and provide a more complete input.
  • Use Add Comment = to comment on someone else’s Reply in an already active Topic/Discussion.

Heap Leach Questions (1 reply and 1 comment)

Millza79
4 years ago
Millza79 4 years ago

Hi All,

 

for determining heap leach recoveries, is this the formula:

[(Total PLS flow (m3) * PLS Au (ppm) * Solution SG) - (Total barren liquor flow (m3) * barren liquor Au (ppm) * Solution SG)] / (Total tonnes on heap leach * Head Au grade)

 

Also, how do you determine the optimum irrigation rate (in m3/h/m2)

d
David
4 years ago
David 4 years ago
Like

Hi,

i had to ask a friend and he says generally, yes. To calculate recovery of a heap you subtract the metal applied in the leach solution from the PLS and can calculate this as a percentage of the metal placed on the heap. There is normally a delay between the time metal values are placed on the heap and when they report in the PLS so a daily calculation is misleading, normally this is calculated over some longer period of time (months). In addition flows and tonnes placed are variable so best use a longer period of time to calculate recovery of the metal placed.

Application rates (m3/h/m2 or l/h/m2) are determined during testwork and generally are a function of the physical ore characteristics (sizing, clays, etc.). Application rate are usually set at the highest rate the ore will accept without ponding or causing problems on the heap. The rate can be variable, reducing the application rate as the leach cycle gets longer.

Millza79
4 years ago

Thankyou.


Please join and login to participate and leave a comment.