Ore Permeability Assessment
Location
Pampa Norte, Chile
Client
BHP Billiton
Project Description
GSA designed and implemented a rigorous laboratory testing program to analyze solution and air-flow characteristics in copper leach ore under variable irrigation and heap height conditions. Hydrologic testing of 18 different leach ore types determined ore-specific solution and air flow properties. These data have been used to develop a hydraulic property classification scheme to incorporate into the GeoMet model.
Project Highlights
- Physical and hydraulic property testing, including specific gravity, particle size distribution, surface area calculation, Atterberg limits, cation exchange capacity; dual wall saturated hydraulic conductivity, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, air permeability, moisture retention characteristics, and optimum moisture-content density
- Development of permeability performance criteria related to the hydraulic conductivity: nominal leach irrigation rate ratio, the total ore porosity occupied by air, and a threshold permeability
