SILVER-CATALYZED BIO-LEACHING PROCESS FOR COPPER EXTRACTION FROM CHALCOPYRITE HEAP

摘要

The present invention provides a process for using an economically low concentration of silver catalyst to extract a commercially meaningful proportion of copper from recalcitrant chalcopyrite ores. During the bio-leaching process of the invention, in the presence of a sulfide-oxidizing bacterial culture, contrary to the prior art teaching, the present invention comprises favouring higher oxidation potentials of at least 700 mV and maintaining those high potentials for a sufficient period of time to achieve copper recoveries that are on the order of 40% or better.