A Brief Note on the Heap Leaching Technologies for the Recovery of Valuable Metals

Abstract

Heap leaching is a low-cost technology used in industrial mining to recover precious metals such as gold and uranium, along with several other highly sought after metals like copper, from their primary resources (ores and minerals). For many decades, there has been a growing demand for heap leaching due to its environmental benefits. Heap leaching provides mining operators with a benign, effective and economical solution for the environment and produces only minor emissions from furnaces. The cost of the heap leaching process is low, making this process an attractive option from a financial standpoint. Here, we shall present a brief review of the heap leaching process when applied to the extraction of different metals from primary resources (ores and minerals). This paper presents a roadmap to satisfy future national demands for rare earth elements (REEs). This heap leaching process is applicable for the recovery of REEs from secondary resources such as mining and coal residues. Heap leaching plays a significant role in the recovery of critical elements which are used in clean and green energy applications. In the mining sector, heap leaching is a distinguished method for the recovery of valuable/beneficial metals from low-quality ore. In the present study, we shall report briefly on the heap leaching technologies for valuable metal recovery with economic advantages.

Using Geomembrane Liners to Reduce Seepage through the Base of Tailings Ponds—A Review and a Framework for Design Guidelines

“…Other types of geomembranes described by Fourie et al [30] that could also be suitable are not included. 1 Foundation conditions need to be subjected to appropriate investigations and tests to determine compatibility with the geomembrane. Description of foundation conditions is a relative measure of stiffness.…”

“…The use of geosynthetics in industrial applications has become common since the 1970s [1]. There is huge potential to use these in different mine-related applications, e.g., as geomembranes, plastic pipes, geotextiles, geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) and reinforcements.…”

Mine Water Use, Treatment, and Reuse in the United States: A Look at Current Industry Practices and Select Case Studies

“…Although the internal processes in the metal recovery plant were not directly modeled in WaterTAP3, this area presents another opportunity for innovation and improvement beyond the baseline. Current technologies used in heap leaching metal recovery plants include precipitation, adsorption, and electrochemical techniques (e.g., electrowinning 94 ). Future technologies that reduce the chemical and/or electrical demand of metal recovery from the leached solution while optimizing water recovery could further increase internal and external water reuse while reducing cost and environmental impacts of heap leaching operations.…”

Influence of surfactant on the permeability at different positions of a leaching column

“…To improve the permeability of heap leaching systems, scholars have proposed a variety of measures designed to improve the permeability of ore heaps with physical and chemical approaches, mainly including fine ore granulation technology [ 16 ], ore grading of heap buildings [ 17 ], mechanical loosening of heaps [ 18 ], and surfactant addition [ 19 , 20 ], which have provided good results. Among them, surfactant addition gives the solution a high surface activity and also leads to good diffusion and permeability.…”