I think your last paragraph is is the most likely

I think your last paragraph is is the most likely and logical scenario- starting w a smaller pad and building size over time---the MPO covers a period of several years so maybe they plan on a max size pad of 35 acres after 3 years-would make no sense for them to lose months of leaching time by waiting til they loaded 35 acres

"Now is it possible that they plan on starting with a smaller heap leach pad and enlarging it to the 35 acres? There is no schedule in the MPO so that is an unknown but makes sense to me. While one section of the pad is leaching, they could be loading another section. I just can't see them loading the entire 35 acres and then turning on the acid drips.'