what's happening in copper hydromet - ALTA Metallurgical Services
what's happening in copper hydromet - ALTA Metallurgical Services
what's happening in copper hydromet - ALTA Metallurgical Services
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
HEAP BIO-LEACHING OF LOW GRADE CHALCOPYRITE<br />
• There are many <strong>copper</strong> primary sulphide deposits which cannot<br />
be economically treated by conventional means due to low<br />
grade or problem impurities.<br />
• Heap leach<strong>in</strong>g us<strong>in</strong>g common iron oxidiz<strong>in</strong>g bacteria, ambient<br />
temperature and conventional techniques results <strong>in</strong> very slow<br />
leach<strong>in</strong>g rate and low recovery, due to a passivation layer.<br />
• Recovery is typically limited to about 30% <strong>in</strong> 3-5 years though<br />
there are some more reactive orebodies.<br />
• A number of organizations are undertak<strong>in</strong>g development<br />
programs <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g BioHeap/Western Areas, Australia; M<strong>in</strong>tek,<br />
South Africa; BacTech, Canada; GeoBiotics, USA; BHP Billiton,<br />
Chile; BioSigma (Codelco/Nippon), Chile; Rio T<strong>in</strong>to, USA.<br />
• Strategies <strong>in</strong>clude development of special bacteria cultures,<br />
maximization of operat<strong>in</strong>g temperature, and optimization of<br />
irrigation patterns and aeration rates.<br />
14
Change language