Case Study
Sonic sampling and well installation on a heap leach pad
Sonic drilling supports heap-leach sampling and solution-enhancement wells
Longyear aligned the drilling method, field team, and well-installation approach to the operating conditions on an active Nevada heap leach pad.
Executive Snapshot
Executive snapshot
Client / project context
Major mining operator / anonymized
Service used
Sonic Drilling
Operating environment
Active heap leach pad
Primary outcome
6,100 oz recovered in 17 months
Client identity and performance claims require final approval before publication.
Selection Context
Why Longyear was selected
Project conditions
- Variable heap-leach material
- Work within an active operation
Technical requirement
- Continuous representative samples
- Well installation in the same program
Safety / operational expectations
- Controlled field execution
- Coordination with site activity
Regional support requirement
- Local field team
- Equipment and technical support
Operational Challenge
The challenge
The project needed to identify dry zones, collect representative samples, and install solution-enhancement wells while coordinating work within an active heap-leach operation.
Longyear Approach
The Longyear approach
- Assessed project conditions
- Selected the Sonic method and tooling
- Mobilized the field team and support
- Executed with site controls
- Captured results and supported next steps
Approach fields
- Sonic drilling method
- Sampling and well-installation tooling
- Experienced field crew
- Site-specific safety controls
- Operational coordination
Outcome / Proof Point
The outcome
6,100 ounces of gold extracted in the first 17 months.
Sampling identified dry zones and informed solution-enhancement work. The approved source for the recovery figure must be confirmed before publication.
Why It Mattered
Impact
The program gave the operator better information about heap performance and supported targeted interventions intended to improve recovery from the existing pad.
Related Capabilities
Related capabilities
Sonic Drilling
Primary drilling method used for sampling and well installation.
View CapabilitySurface Coring
Adjacent surface exploration and sampling capability.
View CapabilityDirectional Drilling
Related capability for controlled borehole placement.
View CapabilityDewatering
Related water-management and field support capability.
View CapabilityProject Inquiry
Have a similar project requirement?
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