Side Slope Recovery
Standard emitterlines fail on steep slopes for two fundamental reasons.
On steep slopes, gravity increases the hydrostatic pressure in the emitterline far beyond its working limits. This causes lines to blow apart at fittings and connectors, creating safety hazards and uncontrolled solution release.
Even when pressure is controlled, solution dripping from an emitter on a steep slope tends to run down the outside of the tube rather than dripping properly below the emitter. This concentrates solution in low spots and leaves large areas dry.
Two engineered features work together to make side slope irrigation practical and effective.
Ore-Max installs pressure regulators at critical intervals along the emitterline so that the pressure in the line never exceeds the proper working limits of the system — regardless of slope angle or line length. This eliminates blowouts and ensures consistent emitter performance from top to bottom.
External drip collars are installed at every emitter position so that solution is evenly distributed over the full surface of the side slope. The collar physically directs the drip away from the tube and onto the ore surface, preventing channeling and ensuring uniform wetting.
Maximum mineral recovery from areas that were previously left unleached.
The Ore-Max side slope system enables full leaching of the steep slope areas that surround every heap leach pad. These zones often contain significant quantities of ore that were previously left unrecovered simply because the right equipment was not available. With Ore-Max side slope technology, operators can recover minerals from 100% of the heap surface area — including the slopes — at application rates matched to the ore permeability and leach cycle design.
