SOIL Box ABLE To TEST 700-Foor HEAP LEACH HEIGHTS

Profitability of heap leaching projects could be greatly improved if heap heights were significantly increased. Currently, heaps have been designed to a maximum height of approximately 450 feet. Higher heaps reduce ore processing costs by handling greater quantities of ore per unit area of pad. In areas with high rainfall, higher heaps also offer the benefit of a reduced catchment area resulting in less meteoric water to manage. The concern with high heaps is the functionality of geosynthetics and piping under extreme loads. Knight Piesold in Denver has developed the capability to test geosynthetics and collection piping under loads equivalent to those imposed by