Patent ID: 9194020
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A heap of a material to be leached to recover a valuable metal from the material, the heap comprising sides and a top and an air flow control system configured to control air flow into the heap, the air flow control system comprising: (a) an air impermeable barrier that is separate to the material of the heap and is positioned on the sides of the heap to minimize or prevent altogether air flow into the heap through the sides, the air impermeable barrier comprising (i) a layer of an air impermeable material, with the thickness of the layer and/or the characteristics of the material being such that the layer of the material forms the air impermeable barrier, and (ii) a layer of a puncture-proof material positioned between the heap and the layer of the air impermeable material; and (b) an aeration system configured to supply air to the heap as required during the course of a heap leaching operation.