Patent ID: 6086656
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: C22B,Y02P,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for improving the heap biooxidation rate of refractory sulfide ore particles that are at least partially biooxidized using a recycled bioleachate off solution, the process comprising:a. biooxidizing a heap comprised of refractory sulfide ore particles with a bioleachate solution and thereby producing a bioleachate off solution that includes a plurality of inhibitory materials dissolved therein, wherein the concentration of each individual inhibitory material in the bioleachate off solution is at least one order of magnitude below its individual inhibitory concentration, yet the combined concentration of at least two of the inhibitory materials is sufficient to inhibit the biooxidation rate of the refractory sulfide particles in the ore;b. collecting the bioleachate off solution from the heap;c. conditioning the bioleachate off solution to reduce the inhibitory effect caused by the combined concentration of the at least two inhibitory materials;d. recycling the bioleachate off solution to the heap; ande. biooxidizing the refractory sulfide ore particles in the heap with the recycled bioleachate off solution.