Project Overview
Location: Arizona, United States
Process Type: Heap Leach with SX-EW
Annual Production: Not specified
Feed Grade: Not specified
Recovery Rate: Not specified
Final Product: 175 million pounds copper cathode per year
Project Stage: Technical Report Update
Detailed Process Description
Processing Strategy
The Gunnison Project implements a comprehensive heap leach operation designed to process multiple ore types including oxide, supergene, and sulfide materials. The facility employs primary crushing before placement on the heap leach pad, ensuring optimal particle size distribution for leaching efficiency.
Solution Management
The process begins with the irrigation of mineralized material using acidified raffinate pumped from the Gunnison Raffinate Pond. Copper-bearing Pregnant Leach Solution (PLS) is collected via an overliner collection system and directed to the PLS Pond, from where it is pumped to the SX Feed Tank for further processing.
Advanced Processing Features
A notable feature of the operation is the planned implementation of an engineered sulfide enhancement treatment process beginning in Year 8 of operations. This innovative approach aims to improve both the kinetics and copper recovery from primary sulfide materials, representing a significant advancement in heap leach technology for sulfide ores.
Production Systems
The facility utilizes conventional solvent extraction and electrowinning systems to produce copper cathode, with a design capacity of 175 million pounds per annum. The SX-EW plant incorporates modern design principles to ensure efficient copper recovery and high-quality cathode production.
