Análisis e impacto económico en la pérdida de cal en lixiviación aurífera en pilas

Abstract

This study evaluates lime losses occurring during the ore–lime mixing stage prior to heap leaching in gold mining operations and analyzes their associated economic impact. Lime is a critical reagent for pH control during cyanide leaching, ensuring gold solubility and preventing the formation of toxic species such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN). A quantitative experimental methodology was applied at reduced scale to simulate industrial mixing conditions, allowing the estimation of lime losses caused mainly by dust entrainment during handling. Based on experimental results and industrial operating data, lime loss percentages between 0.05% and 0.1% per ton of processed ore were considered representative for large-scale operations. An economic projection over a ten-year operational period was performed for medium- and large-scale mining scenarios. Results indicate that even minimal lime losses can generate significant cumulative economic impacts, highlighting the importance of improving lime handling and dosage control strategies in heap leaching operations. Keywords— Heap leaching, lime loss, pH control, gold mining, operational costs.