1760 Figure 2 – Key components for IPR simulation Figure 2 shows the main components of the multiphysics IPR model, consisting of inputs from blast designs to define stope boundaries and ore PSD; governing equations for the main physics that control the leaching process; and key material properties measured from lab tests to be used in the governing equations (such as permeability). 3. CASE STUDY 3.1 Base case Figure 3 shows the geometry of a blasted stope for IPR with a maximum height and width of 25 m. Lixiviant is applied from the top boundary, and the PLS is collected at the bottom boundary. The grey stope domain contains blasted ore fragments with a particle size from 1 to 100 mm from a high-intensity blast with Orica’s SubtekTM 4DTM explosive (Hassanvand et al., 2025a). Leaching in IPR is considered a multiphysics coupled process that includes unsaturated fluid flow, lixiviant transport, and mineral dissolution. For the base case simulation, it was assumed that IPR operates under a ground temperature of 30ºC for 12 months under the single-pass mode, with fresh lixiviant being irrigated at a constant irrigation rate of 8 L/m2/h and a feed ferric ion (Fe3+) concentration of 10 g/L. Material properties, such as mineralogy and kinetic parameters, for this base case simulation were derived from the lab tests in our previous work (Hassanvand et al., 2025a). The lixiviant-consuming minerals include chalcopyrite, chalcocite, bornite, and pyrite.
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