Aplik presents a patented tool for controlling irrigation homogeneity of heap leach pads.  The instrument can be used to detect ponds, leaks, pipe breaks, fallen sprinklers or failures in the drip irrigation system. In just 12 minutes, the system can automatically scan and evaluate a 600 [m] x 400 [m] heap leach pad. The system provides a map that shows the distribution of the irrigation. This map allows operators to take corrective actions in a timely manner. Furthermore, the reports show, for each sub-section of the heap,  the evolution of key indicators, such as percent of area that is irrigated and irrigation homogeneity. This instrument is designed around a long range thermographic camera mounted on a telescopic tower 60 meters high. A second camera allows the operator to inspect the stack manually, complementing the automated scanning. Both, the data collected automatically by the system and the comments of the operators, are recorded in an on-line system that records to the evolution of the heap leach pad.  The operation and maintenance of a heap leach pad is a complex and large scale process, making this continuous monitoring technique an asset for timely decision-making and optimal use of resources. Technical Description of Heap Leach Monitoring Technology (PDF: 1.8 MB) (in spanish).

Benefits

• Day and night inspection and measurement of irrigation systems.
• Automatically generated irrigation map.
• Automatic alarms that notifies of critical conditions.
• Historical trends of irrigation system quality.
• Indirectly influences the reduction of landslides, minimizing losses of solution and reducing accidents.