Project number
25061
Organization
UA Department of Mining and Geological Engineering
Offering
ENGR498-F2024-S2025
Industry consortium the Next-Generation Design Alliance conducted a prefeasibility study for a copper leach-only operation in central Arizona. These operations rely on detailed plans and carefully designed drainage pads for leaching out copper from the ore to maximize production and minimize waste. Using provided project parameters and block models, the team developed a mine plan and leach pad design that leverages advanced mine planning software for pit optimization. This project challenged team members to use their mineral processing expertise and apply industry-relevant methodologies for optimizing operational efficiency to create the leach pad design.
The team began by evaluating the economics of a leach pad expansion. The design included location selection for the leach pad and collection pond, liner design, and the sequence and stacking for the pad. The team also conducted a stability assessment and incorporated environmental and permitting considerations. In addition, the project includes a process flow sheet, tons, mass balance, time rate and recovery estimates for metal recovery. Finally, the team conducted a trade-off study for trace
mineral recovery including gold, silver and molybdenum.
The team began by evaluating the economics of a leach pad expansion. The design included location selection for the leach pad and collection pond, liner design, and the sequence and stacking for the pad. The team also conducted a stability assessment and incorporated environmental and permitting considerations. In addition, the project includes a process flow sheet, tons, mass balance, time rate and recovery estimates for metal recovery. Finally, the team conducted a trade-off study for trace
mineral recovery including gold, silver and molybdenum.