# US 10,767,242 B2 · Methods and systems for leaching a metal-bearing ore using a bio-augmentation process

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- Number: US 10,767,242 B2
- Document ID: US10767242B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/425,715
- Filed: 2019-05-29
- Published: 2019-09-19
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2012-09-13
- Assignees: Freeport Minerals Corporation
- Applicants: Freeport Minerals Corporation
- Inventors: Joanna M Robertson; Christine Rae Green; Gabriel Elias Bowman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767242B2

## CPC

- C22B 3/18: with the aid of microorganisms or enzymes, e.g. bacteria or algae
- C22B 3/02: Apparatus therefor
- Y02P 10/20: Recycling
- C22B: PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS (electrolytic C25); PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A system and method for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing ore material are provided. A metal-bearing ore can be mixed with certain substances and to form an agglomerated ore. In an intermediate state, between agglomeration and heap formation, bacteria can be added to the metal-bearing ore material to produce an augmented ore. The augmented ore can then be formed into a heap. Bacteria from the heap may be fortified to assist in bacterial growth.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
inoculating a first agglomerated ore comprising a metal-bearing material with bacteria to form a first augmented ore;
leaching the first augmented ore comprising bacteria in a heap leach to yield a metal-bearing solution;
directing at least a portion of the metal-bearing solution to a separate growth pond;
adding a nutrient directly to the metal-bearing solution in the separate growth pond to yield a fortified liquid medium; and
directing at least a portion of the fortified liquid medium from the separate growth pond to a second agglomerated ore.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient comprises at least one of ammonia, phosphate, potassium, magnesium, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the fortified liquid medium is held in the growth pond for at least 12 hours prior to the directing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising heating the fortified liquid medium.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein a selectively pressured bacterial colony is formed from directing at least a portion of the metal-bearing solution to the separate growth pond.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein the fortified liquid medium comprises an amplified number of bacteria within the selectively pressured bacteria colony.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient is mixed with an aqueous solution before being added to the separate growth pond.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient comprises a gaseous nutrient and is bubbled into the separate growth pond.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising covering the separate growth pond with a tarp to control a temperature of the separate growth pond.

### Claim 10

A method comprising:
leaching an augmented ore comprising bacteria in a heap leach to yield a metal-bearing solution;
pretreating at least a portion of the metal-bearing solution to form a pre-treated metal-bearing solution; and
directing the pre-treated metal-bearing solution to a bioreactor system wherein a bacterial colony is incubated.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method according to claim 10, wherein the bioreactor system comprises an agitator configured to mix ingredients in the bioreactor system.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method according to claim 10, wherein the pretreating comprises at least one of pH adjustment, metal value precipitation, separation by density, and filtration.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method according to claim 10, further comprising directing the pre-treated metal-bearing solution from the bioreactor system to an effluent holding tank.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The method according to claim 10, wherein the pretreating comprises adding a nutrient to the portion of the metal-bearing solution.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method according to claim 14, wherein the nutrient comprises at least one of ammonia, phosphate, potassium, magnesium, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.