The paper describes the methodology and results from a study carried out
by Telfer Gold Mine to optimise the materials and costs involved in
construction of the pad for their dump leach operations. The investigation
involved large-scale field testing of five different types of liner and a
number of different cushion and drainage layer configurations. The aim
was to identify the most cost effective construction methods to allow the
final dump height to be increased from 45 in to 60 in without causing
significant damage to the liner. The effects of dump height on
permeability were also investigated. These methods are described and
results presented. The findings indicated that modifications to the
existing liner/cushion layer/drainage layer configuration used previously
at Telfer would actually reduce overall construction costs rather than
increase them despite an increase in overall dump height. Relative
construction costs are presented.