Method for Recovery of Metals from Sulfide Ores

摘要

A process for bio-oxidation of sulfides in mineral ore having a metal such as gold occluded or dispersed within the ore as a sulfide is disclosed. The first step comminutes the ore into particles with a size distribution having a P80 of less than 0.25 inch with minus 106 micron particles in the range of 15% to 40% by weight. Agglomerates are formed by adding to the comminuted ore particles an acidic inoculate solution including water, with the solution further including microorganisms capable of bio-oxidizing the sulfides. The agglomerates are then placed in at least one bio-reactor containment vessel to form an ore bed. The process continues by bio-oxidizing the sulfides in the ore bed; then re-circulating the solution through the ore bed, and continuing the bio-oxidation until a desired bio-oxidation level is achieved. Thereafter, the metal is recovered from the ore.

主权项

1. A process for bio-oxidation of sulfides in mineral ore having a metal occluded or dispersed within said ore as a sulfide, comprising the steps of:
comminuting said ore into particles with a size distribution having a P80 of less than 0.25 inch, and minus 106 micron particles in the range of 15% to 40% by weight; forming agglomerates by adding to said comminuted ore particles an acidic inoculate solution including water, said solution further including microorganisms capable of bio-oxidizing said sulfides; placing said agglomerates in at least one bio-reactor containment vessel to form an ore bed; bio-oxidizing said sulfides in said ore bed; and re-circulating said solution through said ore bed and continuing said bio-oxidation until a desired bio-oxidation level is achieved; and thereafter recovering said metal from said ore.