Patent · US Active

High temperature leaching process

US8268038B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

0References

6Claims

0Family size

Assignee

BHP Billiton SA Limited · ZA

Inventors

David Dew · Randburg, ZA
Jaco Steyn · Delmas, ZA
Susanna Helena Minnaar · Johannesburg, ZA

Key dates

Filing date	Oct 22, 2008
Grant date	Sep 18, 2012
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Feb 5, 2029

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02P10/20
WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method of conducting a bioleaching process including the steps of forming a main heap, culturing at least one microorganism which exhibits bioleaching activity in a predetermined temperature range, monitoring the temperature in the main heap, which is a result, at least, of microbial leaching activity and inoculating the heap with the cultured microorganism at least before the temperature reaches the predetermined range.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.