Patent ID: 7160354

Claim:
A high temperature heap bioleaching process for chalcopyrite bearing ore, the process comprising the steps of: a. constructing a heap comprising chalcopyrite bearing ore, said heap including exposed sulfide mineral particles at least 25 weight % of which comprise chalcopyrite, 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 chalcopyrite; b. heating a substantial portion of said heap to a temperature of at least 50° C.; c. inoculating said heap with a culture comprising at least one thermophilic microorganism that biooxidizes sulfide minerals at a temperature above 50° C.; and d. 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 into said process leach solution within a period of about 210 days or less from completion of said heap.