Method for the bacterially assisted heap leaching of chalcopyrite
US7022504B2 · kind B2 · utility
5Cited by
9References
13Claims
0Family size
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Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/20
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.