Pioneering heap leach technology in Chile

For the past five years Ausenco Vector has been developing innovative solutions for BHP Billiton at one of Chile's largest heap leach pads.  At two and a half kilometres long and almost one kilometre wide, the Minera Escondida Oxide Leach Expansion (OLE) project has been the site of many firsts.

To minimise costs and maximise efficiencies, we designed unique ways to use multi-slope leach pad base - the first of its kind in Chile.  We were also the first to use a shiftable conveyor in Chile and pioneered technology allowing two leach solutions to be separated for the first time for this type of facility.

These design innovations have set new benchmarks for cost-effective heap leach construction and operation.