A Guide to Optimising Leaching Operations

Whether in heaps, tanks or in-situ operations, leaching plays a pivotal role in metal recovery, especially in the processing of copper and gold. While often seen as a lower-energy alternative to other extraction techniques, leaching is far from simple. The chemistry is dynamic, the operating conditions are harsh, and the process takes place over long and variable timeframes.

These conditions make it particularly challenging to control, automate and optimise.

For operations managers, metallurgists and site engineers, managing leaching efficiently means

balancing chemical dosage, flow rates, residence time and environmental risk: all while adapting to changes in ore characteristics and throughput targets.

In this guide, we’ll explore ten of the most common leaching challenges seen across heap and tank leach circuits, and offer practical insights to improve control system performance, plant stability and metallurgical outcomes.