HIGH TEMPERATURE HEAP BIOLEACHING PROCESS

摘要

A heap (20) is constructed with chalcopyrite bearing ore. The constructed he ap (20) includes exposed sulfide mineral particles wherein at least 25 weight percent of which are chalcopyrite. The concentration of the exposed sulfide mineral particles in the heap (20) is such that the heap (20) includes at least 10 kg of exposed sulfide per tonne of solids in the heap (20). Furthermore, at least 50 % of the total copper in the heap (20) is in the fo rm of chalcopyrite. A substantial portion of the heap (20) is then heated to a temperature of at least 50 ~C. The heap is inoculated with a culture includi ng at least one strain of thermophilic microorganisms. A process leach solution that includes sulfuric acid and ferric iron is applied to the heap (20) to bioleach the sulfide minerals in the heap (20). Bioleaching is carried out s o that sufficient sulfide mineral particles in the heap (20) are biooxidized t o oxidize at least 10 kg of sulfide sulfur per tonne of solids in the heap (20 ) and to cause the dissolution of at least 50 % of the copper in the heap (20) into the process leach solution in a period of 210 days or less from completion of the heap (20). A pregnant process leach solution (40) that contains dissolved copper is collected from the heap (20) as it drains from the heap.