METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LEACHING A METAL-BEARING ORE

摘要

A system and method for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing ore material are provided. A metal-bearing ore can be mixed with certain substances and to form an agglomerated ore. In an intermediate state, between agglomeration and heap formation, bacteria can be added to the metal-bearing ore material to produce an augmented ore. The augmented ore can then be formed into a heap. Bacteria from the heap may be fortified to assist in bacterial growth.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
inoculating an agglomerated ore comprising a metal-bearing material with bacteria to form an augmented ore; forming at least a portion of a heap with the augmented ore; leaching the augmented ore in a heap leach to yield a metal-bearing solution; directing at least a portion of the metal-bearing solution to a growth area; adding a nutrient to the metal-bearing solution to yield a fortified metal-bearing solution; and directing at least a portion of the fortified metal-bearing solution to the agglomerated ore before the step of leaching.