PROBLEM
Heap Leach pregnant solution ponds need to be covered to prevent waterfowl fatalities. The conventional solution has been netting, which is expensive to maintain, is regularly damaged by winter storms and fails to camouflage the liquid surface from the air.

SOLUTION
By floating a layer of Euro-Matic Bird Balls™ on the surface, the liquid is camouflaged and birds fail to see the ponds. The balls rise and fall with changing liquid levels and easily accommodate objects such as floating pump barges.

LIQUID LOSS THROUGH EVAPORATION
Water is an expensive commodity, especially to mine operators who work in mountainous or inaccessible locations. A single layer of Bird Balls automatically arrange themselves into a close packed formation over 91% of the surface area, greatly reducing sunlight penetration and therefore liquid evaporation. The thermal insulating qualities of Bird Balls also assist in maintaining winter operating temperatures of the water.

OPERATIONS
Bird Balls are manufactured in black UV stabilised HDPE and should provide over 10 years of continuous service in conventional applications. The balls are also completely reusable, should another basin require covering when the original location becomes uneconomic.

MAINTENANCE FREE
Unlike netting, Bird Balls are an install and forget solution. The balls are simply poured from their packing onto the liquid surface. Moderate winds and snow, which damage netting so easily, fail to affect a Bird Ball floating cover.

SURFACE COVERAGE
Euro-Matic has over 30 years experience in manufacturing hollow plastic balls for industrial applications. The ball weight and diameter of the standard Bird Balls usually gives optimum performance at moderate wind speeds whilst ensuring the most economical cost per square foot. A Euro-Matic Bird Ball weighs a nominal 40.0g and is 100mm(4") in diameter. Approximately 116 balls cover one square metre (10 per sq ft). Should the surface of the pond be exposed to higher wind speeds, our heavier 120g water filled Bird Balls are recommended.