Regardless of the mineral type mined and processed by heap leach extraction, mining grade drippers are an essential component of any heap leach mining operation.
Role of drippers in heap leach extraction
Drippers play a critical role of distributing the leach solution to the heap, any variation in quality or overall performance of the drippers will lead to uneven distribution of solution to the heap. This can lead to negative effects such as reduced rates of extracted minerals, as well as the frequency required to maintain your network of driplines and or new dripline replacement. It is not uncommon for heap leach mineral extraction rates to be lower than those measured in lab scale tests, and in an effort to duplicate such results mining operations often resort to costly and difficult to implement solutions. There is a wide array of issues that reduce extraction rates, typically beginning with plugged drippers due to poor solution percolation and evaporation. To resolve such potential issues the first applicable place to start is to use the proper drippers in your driplines. Speciality drippers specifically designed for use in heap leach solution distribution is the first and most cost efficient place to start in order to achieve even solution distribution. This in turn leads to the optimization of your irrigation system ensuring that it will be more effective at duplicating those lab scale extraction rates.
Mining grade drippers
The efficiency and widespread use of drip irrigation in mineral extraction has led to the development of the “mining grade drippers”, for use specifically in heap leach extraction operations. In order to continuously perform in the harsh mining conditions, mining grade drippers are designed to meet a higher standard of specifications as opposed to their agricultural counterparts.
Mining grade drippers are manufactured to resist clogging in the harsh mining environment that is a result of increased level of suspended and dissolved contaminants in leach solution. Additionally, the drippers must maintain their integrity under severe chemical corrosion from highly alkaline or acidic leach solutions. Thus, when you add up the increased resistance to clogging and chemical compatibility you get what makes up the “mining grade dripper”, which is a must when setting up a heap leach mining operation.
The DRTS Minoro™ Dripper
DRTS has developed the Minoro™ Leach Mining Dripper, a specialized patented dripper that offers world class features and benefits in heap leach mining applications:
- Extremely clog resistance, utilizing DRTS’ patented OMNIFLOW™ design
- Excellent chemical and UV degradation resistance, using highest quality virgin polyethylene resin and additives
- Stable and consistent flow, even in longer pipe runs and regardless of dripper orientation in the pipe, thanks to elevated filter technology and high dripper performance
- Three types of dripper flow rates 1, 2 and 4 liters per hour at 1 bar pressure, covering a wide range of heap leach solution application rates
DRTS Leach Mining Solutions
Using proper mining grade drippers such as the DRTS Minoro™ Dripper is your first step towards achieving laboratory confirmed mineral extraction rates. If you want to save time, money, and increase your extraction rates get in contact with a DRTS representative to learn more about DRTS’ Minoro™ dripper range and our leach mining project design services.
