Patent ID: 8273237
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: C22B,C25C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of recovering a metal value from an ore, the method comprising: providing an ore; subjecting said ore to atmospheric leaching to yield a metal bearing slurry comprising said metal value and ferrous iron; separating said metal bearing slurry into a metal bearing solution comprising said metal value and a first portion of said ferrous iron and a metal bearing solid comprising a second portion of said ferrous iron; recycling at least a portion of said second portion of said ferrous iron to said leaching step; extracting said metal value and said ferrous iron from said metal bearing solution to yield a rich electrolyte; and electrowinning said rich electrolyte by oxidizing said first portion of ferrous iron to ferric iron at an anode of an electrowinning cell and reducing said metal value at a cathode of said electrowinning cell.