摘要 |
<p>A method for improving the heap biooxidation rate of refractory sulfide ore particles that are at least partially biooxidized using a recycled bioleachate off solution is provided. The method includes the steps of biooxidizing a heap (10) of refractory sulfide ore particles with a bioleachate solution; collecting, from the heap, a bioleachate off solution that includes a plurality of inhibitory materials dissolved therein, the concentration of each individual inhibitory material being below its individual inhibitory concentration but the combined concentration of at least two of the inhibitory materials being sufficient to inhibit the biooxidation rate of the refratory sulfide ore particles; conditioning (20) the bioleachate off solution to reduce the inhibitory effect caused by the combined concentration of the at least two inhibitory materials; recycling the reconditioned bioleachate solution (22) to the heap; and biooxidizing the refractory sulfide ore particles in the heap with the reconditioned bioleachate solution.</p> |