Costmine compares costs of reclamation in cold climates
May 4, 2021
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Bulldozer moving earth. Credit: tfoxfoto/iStock
As more gold projects investigate operating gold heap leach technology in cold climates, it is important to keep an eye on reclamation costs. Designing for closure before a project is developed can make a significant difference in the reclamation costs.
Costmine first surveyed Canadian gold heap leach facilities, either currently in operation or proposed, to arrive at a relevant gold heap footprint of 1,400 metres long by 700 metres wide for this reclamation cost estimating exercise. We also investigated a smaller heap leach with half of this footprint, or a gold heap of 700 metres by 700 metres. Reclamation activities included in this analysis are comprised of slope angle reduction, capping, topsoil placement and seeding.