Uniform solution distribution
Pressure-compensating emitters and full-pad coverage deliver lixiviant where the ore actually sits — instead of channelling through hot spots.
Proven field outcomes
Success Stories: Max-Emitter In The Field
Real-world case studies and testimonials from mining operations that have improved heap leach recovery using Ore-Max drip irrigation systems.
- +26%
- Gold recovery uplift, South American operation
- +25%
- Copper recovery uplift, U.S. operation
- −50%
- Fresh water use, Chilean nitrate operation
- 25+ yrs
- Ore-Max heap leach operating record
Where the gains come from
Three engineering choices that move recovery
The numbers below are not marketing — they are reported by operators after they converted from sprinklers or conventional drip to Ore-Max heap leach systems. Three design choices do most of the work.
Plugging-resistant flow paths
Mining-grade emitters with oversized screens and turbulent flow paths keep dripping in iron, gypsum, and grit chemistries that close conventional emitters down.
Side slope & full-pad coverage
Drip collars and pressure regulators let operators leach side slopes and steep terraces that sprinkler systems leave behind — recovering ore most pads stop charging for.
Field case studies
Real operations, reported results
Each case study below comes from an active or recently active heap leach operation. Click through for the operating context, the change, and the measured outcome.
Featured case studyGold Mining
After Max-Emitter Conversion, 7 New Monthly Production Records Set — Gold Extraction Increases 26%
After Max-Emitter conversion in 2003 at a major South American gold mine, 7 consecutive monthly production records were set. First quarter 2004 results confirmed a 26% gold extraction increase compared to pre-Max-Emitter performance.
26%
Gold Extraction Increase
18%
Max-Emitter Conversion Increases Copper Extraction 18% And Brings Electrowinning Tankhouse To 100% Capacity
Copper Mining
Read Full Story
10%
Max-Emitter Conversion Results In 10% Gold Extraction Increase At Major U.s. Gold Operation
Gold Mining
Read Full Story
25%
Max-Emitter Results In 25% Copper Extraction Increase — Proven In Repeated Identical Tests
Copper Mining
Read Full Story
50%
Max-Emitter Improves Mineral Extraction And Reduces Fresh Water Consumption 50% In Chile Nitrate Operation
Nitrate Mining
Read Full StoryOnly 5%
Max-Emitter Outperforms Competition In Peru Gold Mine Test With Only 5% Plugging
Gold Mining
Read Full StoryAcross the heap-leach world
Gold, copper, nitrate, and oxide ores — same emitter, same recovery story.
Ore-Max heap leach systems are running in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia — in climates from the Atacama to the Arctic Circle. The case studies above are a sampling of the operating record.
- 25+
- Years operating record
- 5
- Continents in production
- +26%
- Peak recovery uplift (gold)
- −50%
- Peak water reduction
Why the results look this way
The engineering behind the numbers
The case studies show the result; these pages show the design choices that produce it.
The Max-Emitter design
The patented mining emitter behind the recovery uplifts — turbulent flow path, oversized screen, pressure compensation.
Learn moreIndependent CIT grit tests
Center for Irrigation Technology results: 0 of 20 emitters plugged after a doubled-grit protocol at 5,500 PPM.
Learn moreEmitter comparison
Side-by-side comparison of flow path length, screen area, and flow path volume against NetaFim, Toro, and Plastro.
Learn moreRun the numbers on your operation
See what +25% looks like on your pad
Tell us about your ore body, pad geometry, and current emitter setup. We'll share comparable case studies and model the recovery uplift before you commit to anything.