Systems and methods for improved metal recovery using ammonia leaching

#The present disclosure relates, generally, to systems and methods for recovering metal values from metal bearing materials, and more specifically, to systems and methods for processing acid consuming ores.

#Hydrometallurgical treatment of metal bearing materials, such as copper ores, concentrates, and other metal bearing materials, has been well established for many years. Typically, conventional hydrometallurgical processes for copper recovery involve leaching metal bearing materials with an acidic solution, either atmospherically or under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure. The resultant process stream—the pregnant leach solution—is recovered, and a processing step such as solvent extraction is used to form a highly concentrated and relatively pure metal value containing aqueous phase. One or more metal values may then be electrowon from this aqueous phase.

#Certain ores consume a relatively high amount of acid during acidic leaching. Thus, highly acid consuming ores have conventionally been more expensive to process through acidic leaching. Highly acid consuming copper containing ores include copper carbonates, such as azurite and malachite, among other types of minerals. Highly acid consuming copper containing ores may also comprise oxides, such as copper oxides and cobalt oxides.

#The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present invention, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a process in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a process having a wet grind, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

#The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. The description of specific examples indicated in various embodiments of the present invention are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention disclosed herein. Moreover, recitation of multiple embodiments having stated features is not intended to exclude other embodiments having additional features or other embodiments incorporating different combinations of the stated features.

#Furthermore, the detailed description of various embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawing figures, which show various embodiments by way of illustration. While the embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, steps or functions recited in descriptions any method, system, or process, may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented. Moreover, any of the step or functions thereof may be outsourced to or performed by one or more third parties. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component may include a singular embodiment

#The present invention relates, generally, to systems and methods for recovering metal values from metal-bearing materials, and more specifically, to systems and methods for metal recovery using basic leaching. These improved systems and methods disclosed herein achieve an advancement in the art by providing a metal value recovery system that avoids the use of acid leach media in connection with high acid consuming metal bearing materials. Such technology tends to reduce the cost of metal recovery by, at least, eliminating acid costs associated with leaching a given ore body mass. Moreover, acid-free recovery of metal bearing materials often employs roasting technology. Roasting tends to consume significant energy, which may be expensive and environmentally unfriendly, particularly in areas where energy is expensive to produce and/or transport. In addition, roasters add significant capital expenditures as well as increased operating expenditures due to maintenance and repair.