Gold ore heap leaching is a process used to extract gold from low-grade ore. It involves the placement of crushed and ground ore on a leach pad, where it is then exposed to a solution containing cyanide or other leaching agents. The solution percolates through the ore, solubilizing the gold, which is then recovered from the leach solution.

The process of heap leaching began in the mid-19th century and has since become a widely used method for extracting gold from low-grade ores. It is a relatively low-cost and environmentally friendly process compared to other gold extraction methods.

The first step in the heap leaching process is the crushing and grinding of the ore to a suitable size for heap leaching. The crushed and ground ore is then placed on a leach pad, which is typically made of plastic or other impermeable material.

Once the ore is placed on the leach pad, a solution containing cyanide or other leaching agents is sprayed onto the ore. The solution percolates through the ore, solubilizing the gold. The gold-rich solution is then recovered from the leach pad and processed to recover the gold.

Heap leaching has several advantages over other gold extraction methods. It can be used to extract gold from low-grade ores that are not suitable for conventional mining methods. It also requires less energy and capital investment compared to other gold extraction methods.

However, heap leaching also has some disadvantages. It can take several months for the leach solution to percolate through the heap and solubilize the gold. Additionally, the process may require large areas of land for the placement of the heaps, which can have environmental impacts.

In conclusion, gold ore heap leaching is a widely used method for extracting gold from low-grade ores. It offers several advantages over other gold extraction methods, but also has some disadvantages that need to be considered when implementing the process.