Method for the bacterially assisted heap leaching of chalcopyrite
AssigneeBioheap Limited
InventorColin John Hunter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for the bacterially assisted heap leaching of chalcopyrite includes providing a chalcopyrite containing ore heap to oxidize sulphide minerals therein, the heap containing and/or being inoculated with a sulphide oxidizing bacterial culture that either does not oxidize ferrous to ferric, or is inefficient at doing so. At least a first leach solution pond (or other suitable container) is provided, from which feed solution is fed to the heap, and which receives leach solution from the heap. A portion of the leach solution is bled and passed to metals recovery.
Claims13
A method for the bacterially assisted heap leaching of chalcopyrite, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a chalcopyrite containing ore heap to oxidise sulphide minerals therein, the heap containing and/or being inoculated with a sulphide oxidising bacterial culture that either does not oxidise ferrous to ferric, or is inefficient at doing so;
- providing a leach solution container, from which feed solution is fed to the heap, and which receives leach solution from the heap;
- and
- bleeding a portion of the leach solution and passing same to a means for metals recovery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.