Summit Engineering provided a multitude of services during this multiphase expansion of the existing heap leach facility at the Coeur Rochester Mine outside Lovelock, Nevada. These services included the inspection of the expansion of the existing buttress, adding an additional 30 vertical feet thus increasing the capacity and lifecycle of the mine. After construction was completed, Summit Engineering verified the existing conditions were acceptable for the installation of a 2-part liner system. Summit Engineering provided inspection of the nearly 280,000 sf installation of this new liner system. Across the entire HLF, Summit inspected the installation of over 53,000 lf of collection piping, ranging in size from 4” to 18”.
Summit oversaw the installation of over 220,000 cubic yards of overliner material, assuring that not only the depth of material over the collection piping met the minimum requirements, but the equipment used to place material was the proper size and weight so as to not damage the integrity or function of the collection system. During the final stages of this project, Summit Engineering was able to utilize one combination inspector/surveyor to handle all aspects of the project-inspecting the pipe installation, taking survey locations on all pipe joints, and verification of overliner placement and depth. During construction, Summit staff worked closely with mine personnel, attending on-site weekly progress meetings. These site visits served multiple purposes assuring the project was meeting the requirements of the mine specifications, working with mine staff to certify and submit phases of this expansion to the state for approval, and ensuring that on-site personnel had the support and resources to provide the continued level of service to the client. As the expansion was wrapping up, Summit Engineering was asked to provide an on-site engineer to work directly with the mine to provide critical support for other on-site projects that were being constructed at the mine. At the conclusion of the leach facility expansion, Summit Engineering complied with all documentation- survey data, laboratory results, and field reports, along with a summary and certification to submit to the state.
