INTEGRATED, CLOSED TANK BIOOXIDATION/HEAP PROCESSES FOR LEACHING REFRACTORY SULFIDE ORES

摘要

A metal-containing refractory ore (12), such as refractory sulfide ore, is split into a first portion (16) and a second portion (18). The first portion (16) is partially biodigested by a sulfide-digesting microorganism in a biooxidation reactor (20) where the microorganism is acclimated to the sulfide 'diet' provided by the ore. The partially digested ore (22) is then combined (24) with the second portion (18). The resulting material (26) is then dewatered (25, 28), agglomerated (36), biooxidized (32) and subjected to a lixiviation process (42). In a particular embodiment the dewatering action is carried out by adding 'dryer' materials such as a gravel type material to the product stream leaving the thickener/mixing unit (24).