Patent ID: 8012238
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: C22B,Y02P,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A high temperature heap bioleaching process, the process comprising the steps of: a. constructing a heap comprising hypogenic copper sulfide bearing ore, said heap including exposed sulfide mineral particles at least 25 weight % of which comprise hypogenic copper sulfides, wherein the concentration of exposed sulfide mineral particles in said heap is such that said heap contains at least 10 Kg of exposed sulfide sulfur per tonne of solids in said heap, and wherein at least 50% of the total copper in said heap is in the form of hypogenic copper sulfides; b. heating at least 50% of said heap to a temperature of at least 60° C.; c. maintaining at least 50% of said heap at a temperature of at least 60° C. until at least 50% of the copper in said heap is dissolved; d. inoculating said heap with a culture comprising at least one thermophilic microorganism that bioleaches sulfide minerals at a temperature above 60° C.; and e. irrigating said heap with a process leach solution at a rate of at least 72 liters/m f. bioleaching sufficient sulfide mineral particles in said heap to oxidize at least 10 Kg of sulfide sulfur per tonne of solids in said heap and to cause the dissolution of at least 50% of the copper in said heap within a period of about 210 days or less from completion of said heap.