摘要 |
<p>A process for biooxidation of sulfides in a heap of mineral ores by freeing precious metals dispersed or occluded within said ores as pyritic or arsenopyritic sulfides and the like; the process comprises forming particulates from ore particles with an inoculate comprising bacteria capable of attacking, by biooxidation, sulfides and/or elemental sulfur in said or. particles; agglomeration aids may be used for forming particulates in conjunction with the foregoing which are acid resistant and not attacked by the bacteria; from these particulates a heap is constructed; and the biooxidation takes place in such heap by further adding to or dispersing within the heap the biooxidation solution and thereafter a leaching solution, circulating the leaching solution within the heap and recovering the precious metal values from the heap; recovery may be accomplished with a cyanide, thiourea, or a thiosulfate lixiviant.</p> |