Leach Tank Volume Calculator for CIL and CIP Plants

How the calculation works

The calculator first converts your daily tonnage into tonnes of solids per hour over the plant’s operating hours. It then works out the slurry volume those solids make up with their water: the solids volume is the tonnage divided by the ore’s specific gravity, and the water volume follows from the percentage of solids by mass. Multiplying the slurry flow by the residence time gives the working volume the tank train must hold. A planning allowance is added, and the total is divided by the number of tanks.

A worked example

The default values show a plant treating 50 tonnes a day over 24 hours at 45% solids, with ore of specific gravity 2.7 and a 24-hour leach. The slurry flow is about 3.3 m³ per hour, so the working volume is about 79.6 m³. With a 10% allowance that becomes about 87.6 m³, or six tanks of about 14.6 m³ each. These inputs are assumptions to show the method; use your own tonnage and the residence time from a leach test on your ore.

What the result does not include

The figure is a working volume for planning. It does not include freeboard above the slurry, the volume taken by carbon and screens, or the margins a designer applies. Agitator power, screen size, air supply and tank shape all need a process design based on your test results. The leaching tank page explains tank construction and maintenance, and the small CIP and CIL plant guide covers the rest of the circuit.