Hydrometallurgy: Leaching in Heap, Vat, CIL, CIP, Merrill–Crowe, SX Solvent Extraction

Hydrometallurgy: Leaching in Heap, Vat, CIL, CIP, Merrill–Crowe, SX Solvent Extraction

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Copper Bioleaching Process (4 replies)

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

For a copper ore which contains Chalcocite, its copper grade is around 0.5 %, pyrite content is very low and acid consumption is around 150 kg/t, how copper bioleaching process?

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

A few years ago, as GM for a Canadian company in Chile, I developed a process and designed a 30,000 TPY copper plant for an ore containing 0.6-0.9 %Cu and with similar acid consumption ( 80- 130 kg/t). Plant in operation.

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Zander Barcalow
8 years ago
Zander Barcalow 8 years ago

The optimum recovery particle size - have you achieved this?

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

The leaching of this ore requires knowledge of the gangue mineralogy. It is the gangue that is consuming the acid. The bacteria will be on the surface of the copper and extraction can be achieved. The challenge is defining operating parameters that minimize degradation of the gangue to maintain permeability and extract the copper.

I have worked on andesite gangue ore that will easily consume 150 kg/t. But with the optimum operating conditions the copper can be extracted and the acid consumption minimized. I tried the andasite operating conditions on a skarn and failed. The optimum conditions for skarn were found. But you have to understand the gangue defines the pH of the PLS. Do not expect you will obtain a pH of 2.

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

At 150 kg/t acid consumption, if that is a properly conducted test, you will not be able to economically process this ore using the acid leaching route, biological or not, if you have to purchase the acid on the market.


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