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Heap Leach

Heap leach is a hydrometallurgical extraction technology used primarily in mining to recover metals such as copper, gold, uranium and nickel from low-grade ores. The process involves stacking crushed ore on an impermeable pad, then irrigating the heap with a chemical solution—typically dilute sulphuric acid for copper or cyanide solution for gold—that percolates through the ore and dissolves the target metal. The pregnant leach solution is collected at the base of the heap and pumped to a processing plant where the metal is recovered, often through solvent extraction and electrowinning for copper or carbon adsorption for gold. Heap leaching is favoured for its lower capital and operating costs compared with conventional milling and flotation, making it economically viable for ores that would otherwise be uneconomic to process. The technology is widely deployed in arid and semi-arid regions where water management and evaporation can be controlled, and it is particularly suited to oxide and transitional ores that respond well to leaching. Heap leach operations can range from small-scale projects to large industrial facilities processing millions of tonnes of ore annually. Environmental management is critical, with modern operations employing lined pads, solution recycling and closure planning to mitigate risks of groundwater contamination. The technology has been in commercial use since the 1960s and continues to evolve with advances in ore preparation, solution chemistry and pad engineering.

Heap Leach Updates


Cerro Caliche project area in Mexico
Stormlands says NPV of Mexican project can almost double using dynamic modelling
8th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

A clear example of why mining project valuation should be dynamic is the Cerro Caliche project, in Mexico, which can have its net present value (NPV) valuation increase by $253-million using... 


Heavy mining truck
Arthur gold project, US
5th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

AngloGold Ashanti has described the Arthur gold project as a large-scale, continuous gold system with a mineralised footprint of about 2.7 km to 1.3 km. 


Minera Don Nicolas mine in Argentina
Cerrado subsidiary expands gold concessions next to existing processing plant
1st June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company Cerrado Gold's wholly owned subsidiary Minera Don Nicolas (MDN) has acquired additional concessions, known as Las Calandrias II,... 


Location map of the Los Azules project
Los Azules copper project, Argentina – update
29th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

McEwen Copper has appointed financial services provider Societe Generale to lead the structuring and arrangement of a senior debt package to fund construction. 


Andacollo Oro mine schematic
Galantas updates Andacollo Oro mineral resource estimate in Chile
5th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V and Aim-listed Galantas Gold Corporation finds in an updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Andacollo Oro gold project, in Chile, indicated resources of 102-million tonnes grading... 


Aerial view of the Dianne copper project
Dianne copper mine production restart, Australia
13th March 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Revolver Resources is progressing with the restart of the Dianne mine after publishing an integrated restart study in January 2026. 


Image of US flag and periodic table symbols for gold and silver
DeLamar heap-leach gold project, US – update
16th January 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Integra Resources has secured a defined and accelerated federal permitting schedule, reducing regulatory uncertainty and supporting progress towards a construction-ready profile. 


Revolver flags strong restart case for Dianne copper mine
Revolver flags strong restart case for Dianne copper mine
12th January 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

Australia-listed Revolver Resources has outlined a compelling business case to restart its Dianne copper mine in north Queensland, following the completion of a detailed recommencement study that... 


Gold
GoldStone reports steady operational progress at Homase
7th January 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed GoldStone Resources has reported gold production at its Homase mine, in Ghana, of 90.6 kg of gold, equivalent to 2 912 oz, for the year ended December 31, all of which was sold during... 


Galantas to acquire project in Chile
7th January 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

TSX-V and Aim-listed Galantas Gold on January 6 entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire a 100% ownership interest in the Andacollo Oro gold project, in the Coquimbo region of central... 


Pacgold kicks off White Dam restart, eyes first gold in Q1 2026
5th November 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

ASX-listed Pacgold has commenced the restart of operations at its White Dam gold mine in South Australia, targeting first gold production in the first quarter of 2026. Initial work has begun... 


Rio2 secures $50m from Wheaton for Chile gold project
4th November 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Toronto-listed Rio2 has received a final $50-million deposit from Wheaton Precious Metals to advance construction of its Fenix gold project in Chile, one of the largest undeveloped gold oxide, heap... 


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