Method for the recovery of base metals from ores

摘要

A hydrometallurgical method for leaching a base metal in a combined pressure acid leach comprises the steps of combining a sulphide ore (14) or concentrate with a laterite or other oxide ore (16) and mixing them together to form a slurry in a milling circuit (12). The combined slurry is leached in a pressure acid leach circuit (20) comprising a series of pressure Pachuca (tanks 22). An oxidant such as oxygen or air is provided to the pressure acid leach circuit such that the oxidant allows for the conversion of substantially all of the sulphide to transition through to sulphate.