Veladero Mine

Project Overview

Veladero Mine is located in the province of San Juan, Argentina, approximately 5 km from the western border with Chile and at a height between 3,800 and 5,000 masl. The mine began production in 2005.

Project Role

Knight Piésold developed the detailed engineering of phase 6 of the heap leaching system in Veladero Mine valley. This included the engineering required for permit construction management and to carry out construction.

The consultancy mainly included the following:

• Design criteria definition
• Dam design
• Stacking design
• Pressure pipe system design for irrigation
• Water balance
• Rich solution storage area and collection systems
• Infiltration, collection and recovery system and monitoring system
• Groundwater management system
• Surface water management system, diversion channels
• Contingency pool, access and mining roads
• Surplus evacuation systems
• Process plant adduction system, intermediate dropboxes
• Electromechanical, electrical and control systems
• Auscultation system
• Technical specifications, quality manuals
• CAPEX and work schedule
• Procurement