The dangers to both the environment and to workers from heap-leach mining technology are obvious. Cyanide is a deadly poison that kills when it is swallowed or when its fumes are inhaled. The synthetic material used for liners is produced in a process that turns it out enormous sheets. Typically, the sheets are 20 to 30 feet wide and can be 1,000 feet long. Some manufacturers even offer sheets that are 120 feet wide.
Quality control is key, for moisture and foreign matter can produce tiny pinholes in the sheeting.
For example, faulty settings can lead to stress points where a liner is too thin in some places and too thick in others. Shipping and handling offer their own problems. Rolls of liner can be punctured or torn if improperly stored. Dragging a roll or panel will cause damage that requires special repairs. Storage before installation is also critical.