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Four countries have more heap leach mines than the rest of the world combined

MINING.com Editor | November 10, 2020 | 9:30 am

Heap leaching is a processing and extraction technology that has become increasingly popular over recent years due to the cost advantages and environmental benefits it offers to miners.

Using data compiled by MiningIntelligence, MINING.COM takes a look at mining operations that are currently applying this technology, formulating a global ranking of countries with the most heap leach operations.

Russia takes the top spot in this regard, with a total of 45 producing heap leach operations. The US ranks in second place (41), followed by Chile (35).

Rounding out the top 10 list are: Mexico (28), China (16), Peru (14), Kazakhstan (13), Zambia (10) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (9). Australia, Indonesia and Zimbabwe share the tenth spot with six heap leach operations each.

In most places, heap leach operations are predominantly gold or gold-silver, with the exception of Chile, where most of its mines are copper-focused.

Click on the table for free Excel downloads from the Miningintelligence database of over 37,000 projects, 16,000 companies and 2 million source documents.

(Image courtesy of Polyus)


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4 Comments

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  • Thomas Fledderjohn

    November 11, 2020 at 7:49 am

    Please provide me more information on heap leaching.

    Reply
    • Amanda Stutt

      November 11, 2020 at 10:08 am

      Hi Thomas, you can learn more at http://www.edumine.com!

      Reply
  • Azhar

    November 11, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    Feasibility of mining projects

    Reply
  • Lukas Aksel

    November 18, 2020 at 6:28 am

    Hi, but this is not accurate due to proper consultations, there are countries like Angola and many more

    Reply
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