Author 1:
Name & Surname: Shesternev D. M.
Company: Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (Yakutsk, Russia)
Work Position: Head of laboratory, Professor
Scientific Degree: Doctor of Engineering Sciences
Contacts: e-mail: shesdm@mail.ru

Author 2:
Name & Surname: Myazin V. P.
Company: Transbaikal State University (Chita, Russia)
Work Position: Head of department, Professor
Scientific Degree: Doctor of Engineering Sciences

Author 3:
Name & Surname: Bayanov A. E.
Company: Transbaikal State University (Chita, Russia)
Work Position: Postgraduate

The article gives geocryological characteristics of arctic, subarctic and moderate climate areas in Russia and presents estimation of heap leaching (HL) potential in these areas. The review and analysis involve key fundamental research trends and the current experience gained in HL under rigorous climate conditions in Russia. The integrated year-round HL technology using natural and artificial energy sources is proposed, and economic effect of its introduction in the gold mining industry in Russia is evaluated. The analysis of effect of HL industrial introduction in various climate zones in Russia, the laboratory experimental research and mathematical modeling, as well as evaluation of the performance of the applied and recommended year-round HL technologies show that creation of a yearround HL technology for permafrost zone requires the integrated approach using natural and artificial energy sources, including: Improvement of selective extraction of ore based on division of ore bodies in permafrost zone by the degree of cryogenic alteration of the process properties of ore depending on the number of cycles and propagation depth of variable temperatures with different-period amplitudes in rock masses; Elaboration of cryo-geo-technology of ore pretreatment based on effect exerted on ore by alternate temperatures in annual and(or) seasonal cycles of their variation, which will enable: wider opening of cracks; increase in amount of defects in the structure of minerals and ore-hosting rock fragments; ore weakening; reduction in energy input in ore crushing; Development of technology for multi-layer stockpiling of ore and year-round spraying of stockpiles, considering duration of negative air temperature season, depth of seasonal frost penetration in stockpiles and rock mass in the framework of the overall heap leaching production cycle.

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