Patent ID: 6099615
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: C22B,Y02P,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of improving percolation of heap leach liquid through a lift comprising:mixing a surfactant in a first quantity with a polymer in a second quantity in a diluent liquid to obtain a first solution consisting essentially of said surfactant and said polymer in said diluent liquid, wherein:said surfactant is in a concentration range from about 0.001% to about 10%; andsaid polymer is in a polymer-to-surfactant ratio in a range from about 0.001:1 to about 0.1:1;applying said first solution to ore particles:agglomerating said ore particles;building said ore particles into a lift;contacting said lift with a second solution andpercolating said second solution through said lift at a rate from about 1 cm/hr to about 100 cm/hr.