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Heap Leaching

Heap leaching is a hydrometallurgical extraction process used to recover metals, primarily gold, silver and copper, from low-grade ores. The technology involves stacking crushed ore on an impermeable pad, then irrigating the heap with a chemical solution—typically dilute cyanide for gold and silver, or sulphuric acid for copper—that percolates through the material and dissolves the target metal. The pregnant solution is collected at the base of the heap and pumped to a processing plant where the dissolved metal is recovered, usually through adsorption onto activated carbon or by precipitation. Heap leaching is particularly suited to large-tonnage, low-grade deposits where conventional milling would be uneconomic, and it requires lower capital expenditure than conventional processing plants. The method is widely used in arid and semi-arid regions where water availability and environmental conditions favour open-air operations. Leach cycles can range from weeks to months, depending on ore characteristics, particle size and solution chemistry. Environmental management focuses on preventing solution seepage and managing residual cyanide or acid in spent heaps. The technology has been instrumental in making marginal gold and copper deposits commercially viable, especially in regions such as Nevada, Chile and Australia. Heap leaching was developed and commercialised in the mid-twentieth century and has since become a standard technique in the global mining industry.

Heap Leaching News


Image of Black Pine project ore samples
Black Pine oxide gold project, US
2nd October 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

US-focused mineral exploration and development company Liberty Gold Corp has proposed the construction of a conventional openpit, run-of-mine, heap-leach operation producing gold and silver doré.  


Image of Türkiye map/flag
Gediktepe mine, Türkiye
18th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A copper/zinc mine in Balıkesir Province, western Türkiye.  


Image of Türkiye map/flag
Gediktepe mine, Türkiye
11th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A copper and zinc mining operation in Balıkesir Province, in western Türkiye. 


Exploration work at Fredonia's El Dorado Monserrat project
Fredonia confirms low-cost startup potential for Argentine gold project
1st September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed Fredonia Mining finds in a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) on the El Dorado Monserrat gold and silver project, in Argentina, the... 


Ansto's rare earths processing pilot facility in Sydney
Australian Rare Earths starts pilot processing of Koppamurra material for customer evaluation
11th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Australian Rare Earths has started with pilot processing of about 30 t of material from the Koppamurra rare earths project, in South Australia, after officially opening its pilot-scale... 


A map indicating the location of the Independence project and nearby mines
Scoping study shows 'compelling' preliminary development case for Independence gold project
3rd August 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

A scoping study on Australia-listed Black Bear Minerals' Independence gold/silver project, in Nevada, in the US, demonstrates a "compelling" preliminary development case for the project, says CEO... 


The Blanket mine in Zimbabwe
Surface drilling identifies new gold orebody at Caledonia's Blanket mine
23rd July 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Gold mining and exploration company Caledonia Mining reports that there is significant gold mineralisation potential that has not been mined by the existing underground operation at its Blanket... 


Drill core from Piauí project
Piauí nickel project, Brazil – update
17th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Brazilian Nickel has secured financing from Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social, in Brazil, for its subsidiary Piauí Nickel Metais to develop the project. 


Ore recovered from the Klein Aub mine in Namibia
UMR notes progress at Namibia copper project, despite delay in concluding legal documents
8th June 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

London-listed Unicorn Mineral Resources (UMR) expects to sign legal documentation for its acquisition of a controlling stake in the Klein Aub copper mine, in Namibia, along with 5.6-million tonnes... 


Location map of the Los Azules copper project
Los Azules copper project, Argentina – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

McEwen reported on May 6, 2026, that Los Azules had advanced significantly in 2025 through the approval of its application under Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime. 


Location map of the Santa Cruz project
Santa Cruz underground copper mine, US – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Ivanhoe Electric has said it has all necessary permits to start initial construction activities. 


Mintek creates MinBind to unlock value of low-grade ore
Mintek creates MinBind to unlock value of low-grade ore
4th May 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

As South African mining companies navigate the complexities caused by decades of intensive extraction, which have significantly reduced the availability of the world’s richest and most accessible... 


Image of rare earth salts
Ampasindava rare earths project, Madagascar
17th April 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A recently completed prefeasibility study has confirmed the technical and economic viability of the project and has outlined a development pathway. 


Exploration work under way at Paramount Gold Nevada Corp's Sleeper project
Paramount Gold Nevada starts initial assessment of its Sleeper project
10th April 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

US-focused exploration and development company Paramount Gold Nevada Corp has started an initial assessment for its 100%-owned Sleeper gold project – a past-producing high-grade gold mine located... 


Image of gold nugget
Bald Mountain Redbird 2 project, US
3rd April 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Kinross Gold Corporation is proceeding with construction. 


Power Metal makes strategic copper investment in Chile
20th March 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Aim-listed Power Metal Resources on Friday announced a strategic $1-million investment in Chile-focused copper developer Next Minerals, securing a 2.6% interest and exposure to a mine-ready... 


Piles of rare earths
Ampasindava rare earths project, Madagascar
20th March 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A recently completed prefeasibility study has confirmed the technical and economic viability of the project and outlines a development pathway.  


Image of gold beads
Black Pine oxide gold project, US – update
9th January 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Liberty Gold has reached a major permitting milestone for the project. 


Pacgold nearing gold production at White Dam project
7th January 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

ASX-listed Pacgold announces that gold production and initial cash flow is imminent with cyanide irrigation now under way along the western wall of the heap leach pad at the recently acquired White... 


Image of gold bar/nuggets
Cripple Creek & Victor mine, US
5th December 2025 By: Sheila Barradas

A gold mine in Denver, Colorado, in the US.  


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