Electrical Resistivity Tomography of The Ore Heap

Abstract

Summary The article shows the results of three-dimensional inversion of electrotomographic data obtained on the heap leach ore pile. The main purpose of the study has to identify filtration channels inside the heap, dry ore blocks and leaks through the waterproofing layer. The array of 3-D data was obtained from the 2-D dataset. 3D inversion was performed and sections and electrical resistivity maps were constructed. Anomalies of electrical resistivity associated with two filtration channels were identified. It is shown that low-permeability zones have formed under technological roads, which were detected by anomalies of increased electrical resistivity. They disturb fluids streaming. According to low electrical resistivity local anomalies, the position of leakage sites in the waterproofing layer has detected.