Theory 066/Mining & Minerals
Heap Recovery Is Percolation
The claim
Heap leach recovery is set by whether the lift percolates uniformly rather than by leach time.
01The mechanism
Solution follows preferential paths; below a percolation threshold, much of the heap is never contacted regardless of duration.
02Predictions
- P1Recovery should plateau independently of time.
- P2Improving percolation should raise recovery more than extending leach.
03Refutation
Recovery rising indefinitely with time would remove the percolation limit.