AGGLOMERATION AND STACKING

Agglomeration typical is conducted as a separate unit operation where fine crushed ore is contacted with raffinate or concentrated acid in a rotating agglomeration drum. Some operations prefer to conduct agglomeration using the conveying system with transfer points acting as agglomeration stages. A wide variation exists on what is added during agglomeration and whether a cure stage is required. The GEOLEACH ™ can work with any conventional system providing that good agglomerants are produced and that the addition of biological cultures can be facilitated.

Stacking is conducted in a manner similar to conventional acid leaching. A wide variety of stacking systems are available and the selection is highly dependant on pad configuration, customer preference and capacity. Stacking can be conducted with small radial stackers, larger track mounted radial stackers, or crawler based linear stackers.