Determining the Optimum Heap Height Considering the Irrigation Rate and the Slope of Heap Bed Variations in Miduk Copper Mine

Determining an optimum height is remarked as one of the most important issues in heap designing and this is obtained by calculating the number and the height of heap lifts. Although the increase of lift height has benefits in heap leaching method from economic point of view, it will reduce the stability and make process problems such as low permeability. The current paper analyzes the effect of sulphuric acid irrigation on the strength parameters of Miduk oxide copper ores. In addition, the result of the process experiments have evaluated with different irrigation rates as well as variable conditions of permeability. From process view, approximately 75% of copper is recovered at irrigation rate of 8 l/h m². Due to the significance of economic and process parameters in determining the optimum height of lifts, these parameters are simultaneously studied. The results are demonstrated that although the increase of irrigation rate and permeability can lead to more copper recovery in this mine, it will remarkably decrease the stable height of lifts. Moreover, changes in the bed slope will have a similar effect on the height of the lifts.