The starter cell of the heap leach operation was the critical path item that directly determined the commissioning schedule of the site. The timely completion of the leach pad lining system was mandatory for the ore stacking operation to begin on the planned date, and the execution plan was accordingly accelerated to a pace close to a two-shift, day-and-night basis.

Prior to the HDPE geomembrane deployment, the preparation of the compacted clay liner (CCL) on the subgrade was jointly checked and verified with the employer's site team; surface smoothness was treated as one of the fundamental criteria that would determine the long-term performance of the geomembrane under the cyanide leach solution. Panel cutting and adaptation works at slope transitions and cell corners were prepared with separate templates as non-standard details.

The containment of the geomembrane-pipe interfaces at the transition points of the solution collection ditches was solved with extrusion welding and mechanical clamped boot details. The containment test at these points formed the backbone of the final acceptance inspection conducted together with the employer's commission prior to cell handover.