Alkaline oxidation methods and systems for recovery of metals from ores
AssigneeHycroft Mining Holding Corporation
InventorRandy Buffington
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An oxidation step for sulfide and transition ores prior to CN leaching to recover 60 to 90 percent of metals from those ores. Use of tona, soda ash or carbonate source in treating sulfide and transition ores for CN leaching recovery of metals, including gold and silver. The oxidation of sulfide and transition ores in the presence of carbonate. Low moisture content in the heap, to enhance available oxygen, during the oxidation of sulfide and transition ores in the presence of carbonate.
Claims27
A system for a processing and recovery of metals from ores having 70% or less cyanide-soluble metal, the system comprising:
- a. a crushing segment comprising:
- (i) an ore comprising a metal and a sulfide;
- and, (ii) crushing equipment;
- b. a storage segment, the storage segment comprising an oxidizer and pH buffer material and a storage vessel configured to hold the oxidizer and the pH material;
- c. an oxidizing pH moderating material handling and distribution segment, the handling and distribution segment configured to receive the oxidizer and pH buffer material from the storage segment and comprising (i) the oxidizer and pH buffer material and (ii) handling and distribution equipment;
- wherein the handling and distribution segment is configured to meter and directly add the oxidizer and pH buffer material to the ore comprising a metal and a sulfide;
- d. the crushing segment, the pH moderating material handling and distribution segment, or both, configured to mix and conduct an oxidation reaction;
- whereby the sulfide is oxidized and thereby creating a pre-oxidized ore in the crushing segment, the handling and distribution segment, or both;
- e. a heap leach segment, comprising the pre-oxidized ore and a reagent for extracting the metal from the pre-oxidized ore, thereby forming a solution comprising the metal;
- and,
- f. a metal recovery segment, whereby the metal is recovered from the solution.
A system for the processing and recovery of metals from ores having 70% or less cyanide-soluble metal, the system comprising:
- b. a crushing segment comprising:
- (i) an ore comprising a metal and a sulfide;
- and, (ii) crushing equipment;
- b. a storage segment, the storage segment comprising an oxidizer and pH buffer material and a storage vessel configured to hold the oxidizer and pH buffer material;
- c. an oxidizing pH moderating material handling and distribution segment, the handling and distribution segment configured to receive the oxidizer and pH buffer material from the storage segment and comprising (i) the oxidizer and pH buffer material and (ii) handling and distribution equipment;
- wherein the handling and distribution segment is configured to meter and directly add the oxidizer and pH buffer material to the ore comprising a metal and a sulfide in the crushing segment, the handling and distribution segment, or both;
- d. the crushing segment, the handling and distribution segment, or both, configured to mix and conduct an oxidation reaction;
- whereby the sulfide is oxidized and thereby creating a buffered pre-oxidized ore;
- e. a heap leach segment, comprising the buffered pre-oxidized ore and a reagent for extracting the metal from the buffered pre-oxidized ore, thereby forming a solution comprising the metal;
- and,
- f. a metal recovery segment, whereby the metal is recovered from the solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.