Patent ID: 7635457

Claim:
A process for enhanced recovery of one or more metal values from heap and/or dump leaching of ores containing said metal values, the process comprising: (a) providing a high grade leach solution obtained by heap or dump leaching of fresh high grade ore containing a first metal value; (b) subjecting said high grade leach solution to a first solvent extraction of said first metal value to produce a first aqueous raffinate, and applying said first aqueous raffinate to leach fresh high grade ore; (c) providing a low grade leach solution obtained by heap or dump leaching of partially leached ore or fresh low grade ore of said first metal value; and (d) subjecting said low grade leach solution to a second solvent extraction of said first metal value to produce a second aqueous raffinate, and applying said second aqueous raffinate to leach partially leached ore or fresh low grade ore, wherein said first and second aqueous raffinates are not intermixed prior to being applied to their respective ores for leaching.