Bioleaching to pre-treat sulfidic refractory, precious metals ors and concentrates, cobalt-pyrite concentrates and secondary copper ores is a viable process. Bioleaching has been applied in a bioheap process configuration at nine locations in Australia and Chile; seven are till operating. Closure of two plants was because the ore to feed the plants was depleted. Eight aerated, stirred-tank bioleach plants to process concentrates have been constructed and operated. Two plants have shut-down; one ceased operation due to lack of feed and the second shut down when underground mining was not economically viable.
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