AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR HEAP LEACHING OF CHALCOPYRITE

摘要

Disclosed is a method for heap leaching an ore containing chalcopyrite. Acidic liquor containing iron or sulphur oxidising bacteria is introduced to a heap containing chalcopyrite ore for contacting with that ore. Such contacting will liberate copper from the ore. During this process, an oxygen-containing gas is introduced to the heap as a source of oxygen for the bacteria. The oxygen-containing gas is introduced to a heap having saturation and temperature controlled to maintain a substantial portion of the heap at a temperature such that thermophilic bacteria leach the chalcopyrite at an economically acceptable rate. A heap leaching system (1) operating in accordance with the method is also disclosed.