Compressed Air Injection Into A Sulfide Leach Dump

It was attempted to revitalize an old sulfide leach dump by increasing the oxygen content within the dump. Compressed air was introduced into the old dump. This was accomplished by drilling 300 foot angle holes into the dump surface with an Aardvark drill which holes are then cased with 1-1/2 inch perforated PVC pipe. Compressed air is injected through these cased holes during a 10 day rest cycle. The second case consists of bedding perforated polyethylene pipe at the interface between the old dump surface and the next Lift of a new dump. Compressed air is then blown through the bedded perforated pipe on a continuous basis while leach solution is applied.