WO2002066689A1 - Adaptation of bacteria for leaching - Google Patents

Adaptation of bacteria for leaching Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002066689A1
WO2002066689A1 PCT/AU2002/000182 AU0200182W WO02066689A1 WO 2002066689 A1 WO2002066689 A1 WO 2002066689A1 AU 0200182 W AU0200182 W AU 0200182W WO 02066689 A1 WO02066689 A1 WO 02066689A1
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Prior art keywords
heap
volume
bacteria
vessel
adaptation
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PCT/AU2002/000182
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French (fr)
Inventor
Colin John Hunter
Tamsin Lisa Williams
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Pacific Ore Technology (Australia) Ltd
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Publication of WO2002066689A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002066689A1/en

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
    • C22B3/18—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes with the aid of microorganisms or enzymes, e.g. bacteria or algae
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B11/00—Obtaining noble metals
    • C22B11/04—Obtaining noble metals by wet processes
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
    • Y02P10/20—Recycling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for the adaptation of bacteria for use in the leaching of ores and concentrates.
  • Heap leaching is a very old technique that has traditionally been applied for the extraction of copper.
  • the first documented large-scale heap leach was performed at Rio Tinto, Spain in approximately 1752. Since that time, techniques developed at the Rio Tinto site, including the utilisation of sprinklers and leach/rest cycles for solution management, and copper recovery methods such as cementation of copper onto iron, have been adapted and applied to the recovery of other metals.
  • the technology has been very successfully applied to the heap leaching of gold and silver ores (Hiskey, Brent. 1996. Heap and Dump Leaching, course No. 954/96. Australian Mineral Foundation (Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Perth, Western Australia)).
  • the process of heap leaching begins with the crushing of run-of-mine ore to a predetermined size. The preferred size is established through liberation testing. The crushed ore is then stacked on a prepared impervious pad to a height of 3 to 15 metres. Sprays or drippers are then used to deliver a leaching solution to the surface of the heap. The leaching solution percolates through the heap and leaches metals of interest. The liquor draining from the base of the heap, referred to as the pregnant liquor solution, flows into drains in the impermeable pad and is collected and passed to a metal recovery circuit.
  • the metal recovery circuit may contain precipitation areas, solvent extraction and electrowinning systems, or any combination of these (Hisky, supra).
  • the bacteria used to conduct the oxidation of iron sulphide ores are indigenous bacteria, being bacteria that occur naturally in the environment of those ores.
  • the bacteria may be introduced to the heap leach or they may be allowed to populate it without intervention. If the bacteria are introduced to the heap via an irrigation system, the bacterial culture is typically enriched by being grown in agitated aerated tanks. This culture is then introduced to the heap irrigation system as a means of inoculating the heap. This method may be practiced as a once-off addition, or the bacteria may be added during the acidification of the ore which may take several weeks (Groudev,S.N.,et al. 1995.
  • irrigation of the heap with a nutrient solution can provide any indigenous bacteria with essential trace elements required for their growth and metabolism of the sulphide minerals.
  • the nutrient solution might typically include, but is not limited to, phosphate, magnesium, potassium, and nitrogen, the latter in the form of ammonium.
  • the method of the present invention has of one object thereof to increase the rate and quantum of metal recoveries when compared with those of prior art processes.
  • the process of adaptation proceeds at a temperature chosen in light of the temperature typically experienced at the source of the mineral sample.
  • step a) provides a liquor comprising about 10% volume/volume of a slurry sample of stock inoculum to volume of OK nutrient solution.
  • the combination preferably occurs in a vessel that is constantly stirred and aerated.
  • the mineral sample is added at a concentration of 1% weight/volume.
  • the adaptation of the bacteria to the ore preferably takes place at a chosen temperature that is maintained throughout the adaptation.
  • step b) is preferably undertaken once bacterial numbers in the combined solution of step a) reach a level of about 10 8 cells/ml.
  • the process of scaling-up in step b) involves the transfer of the liquor from step a) from a relatively small vessel to a larger vessel, with the addition of any necessary water and/or nutrient solution.
  • the method of the present invention further comprises the additional method step of:
  • the process of scaling-up preferably involves the following method steps:
  • the water of the second vessel is heated to an appropriate temperature prior to the addition of the nutrient solution.
  • Sulphuric acid is preferably added until a desired pH for the nutrient solution is achieved.
  • Addition of the culture from step b)(i) preferably follows.
  • the dissolved O 2 content, pH and oxidation reduction potential of the liquor content of the vessels are preferably measured and recorded, together with the levels of metals reporting to solution.
  • the stock bacterial culture and any indigenous bacteria present undergo an exchange of genetic material.
  • the bacterial culture is added to the heap during steps a) and b) on an about weekly basis. Addition of the bacterial culture during step c) may occur less frequently than steps a) and b) but acts to ensure that the preferred bacteria are present and dominate the heap.
  • the bacterial cultures are adapted to the ore or mineral, and grown up gradually to a desired volume.
  • Stock bacterial cultures are maintained within the laboratory. When new samples of mineral enter the laboratory it is these stock bacterial cultures that are adapted to the ore.
  • the adaptation procedure allows any indigenous bacteria present on the ore or mineral, and capable of operating under the imposed conditions, to grow and live compatibly with the introduced bacterial culture.
  • Leaches may include tank, heap, or dump. This consideration will help determine a temperature range in which the bacteria will operate. In addition, it is important to determine the temperature of the area where the ore comes from as this will indicate the temperatures that many indigenous bacteria may operate within.
  • the process of adaptation comprises the addition of a 10% volume/volume of a slurry sample of stock inoculum to a volume of OK nutrient solution.
  • the mineral or ore sample is added at a concentration of 1% weight by volume.
  • the mineral or ore sample may contain some indigenous bacteria, as noted hereinabove.
  • Adaptation of the bacterial culture to the ore or mineral takes place at a temperature determined and chosen by an operator on the basis of the temperatures experienced at the source of the particular ore or mineral. This temperature is maintained throughout the process of adaptation.
  • the adaptation vessel is stirred and aerated constantly. Aeration takes place, in a laboratory test, at a rate of 1 L of air per minute per litre of slurry. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis is conducted on the solution to track the levels of metal released into solution. Examination of the bacterial culture is also conducted under the microscope to count the number of bacterial cells per millilitre of solution.
  • any indigenous bacteria present on the ore or mineral sample may grow, provided they can operate under the imposed conditions. Bacteria are capable of transferring genetic material and this occurs readily in this environment. Adapting the non-indigenous bacterial culture with some indigenous bacteria allows the indigenous bacteria to transfer genetic material to the non-indigenous bacteria and vice versa. Generally, the genetic material transferred to the non-indigenous bacteria confers resistance to certain environmental challenges, including for example heavy metals, salts, temperature and the like.
  • the liquor or bacterial culture can be scaled- up in a stepwise fashion, this may vary from a two fold scale-up to a one hundred fold scale-up.
  • the scale-up process involves transferring the volume of bacteria to a larger agitated aerated tank and increasing the volume, through the addition of a nutrient solution. The bacteria are then fed sulphide mineral.
  • An example of a bacterial scale-up might be a ten fold scale up from 1m 3 to 10m 3 .
  • This process would involve transferring the bacterial culture from a 1 m 3 tank to a 10m 3 tank.
  • the nutrient solution may be added before or after the transfer of the bacterial culture.
  • This example involves the transfer of the bacterial culture to a tank already containing some nutrient solution. The tank is half filled with an appropriate water supply, this being heated and agitated until a desired temperature is achieved. Once the temperature has been reached the full complement of nutrients is added to the tank and sulphuric acid added gradually until the desired pH of the nutrient solution is achieved. Transfer of the bacterial culture follows.
  • the volume of the tank is made up to the desired level by the addition of water, and finally ore or concentrate can be added as a feed source for the bacteria.
  • the dissolved oxygen content, pH, oxidation- reduction potential of the liquor are measured and recorded as well as the levels of metals reporting to solution.
  • Bacterial cells within solution are allowed to build up to numbers in the range of 10 8 cells/mL before being transferred either to the heap or to the next sized tank. This process of scaling up the volume of the culture is continued until the desired volume of bacteria required to commence inoculation of the bacterial heap is achieved. Once the required volume of liquor is achieved and the bacterial numbers in solution therein are satisfactory the ore heap may be inoculated with the bacterial culture.
  • the bacterial culture is added to the heap at three stages, the stages being during construction of the heap, once construction of the heap is completed, and during the operation of the heap leach.
  • the bacterial culture is pumped from a holding tank to the main pump where the bacterial stream is diluted with nutrient solution, the mixed stream then moves through a coarse filter to remove large particles before being passed through a dripper/spray irrigation system onto the heap.
  • a hose is attached to the outlet of the filter and the bacterial culture is sprayed manually onto the heap.
  • a sprinkler may be used.
  • Inoculation of the heap takes place regularly, at least once a week, to ensure that the bred bacteria are present and dominate the system. It is envisaged that the method for adaptation of bacteria of the present invention may be used to prepare a culture for use in any form of leaching, including that conducted in tanks and dumps, in addition to the heap leach described.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
  • Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)

Abstract

A method for the adaptation of bacteria for use in the leaching of ores and concentrates, the method characterised by the method steps of: a) combining a mineral sample with a stock bacterial culture; b) scaling up the volume of the combined mineral sample and inoculum to a desired level; and c) utilising the scaled-up volume of bacteria in the leaching of an ore or concentrate.

Description

"Adaptation of Bacteria for Leaching"
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for the adaptation of bacteria for use in the leaching of ores and concentrates.
Background Art
Heap leaching is a very old technique that has traditionally been applied for the extraction of copper. The first documented large-scale heap leach was performed at Rio Tinto, Spain in approximately 1752. Since that time, techniques developed at the Rio Tinto site, including the utilisation of sprinklers and leach/rest cycles for solution management, and copper recovery methods such as cementation of copper onto iron, have been adapted and applied to the recovery of other metals. In particular, the technology has been very successfully applied to the heap leaching of gold and silver ores (Hiskey, Brent. 1996. Heap and Dump Leaching, course No. 954/96. Australian Mineral Foundation (Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Perth, Western Australia)).
Typically, the process of heap leaching begins with the crushing of run-of-mine ore to a predetermined size. The preferred size is established through liberation testing. The crushed ore is then stacked on a prepared impervious pad to a height of 3 to 15 metres. Sprays or drippers are then used to deliver a leaching solution to the surface of the heap. The leaching solution percolates through the heap and leaches metals of interest. The liquor draining from the base of the heap, referred to as the pregnant liquor solution, flows into drains in the impermeable pad and is collected and passed to a metal recovery circuit. The metal recovery circuit may contain precipitation areas, solvent extraction and electrowinning systems, or any combination of these (Hisky, supra).
At present, the bacteria used to conduct the oxidation of iron sulphide ores are indigenous bacteria, being bacteria that occur naturally in the environment of those ores. The bacteria may be introduced to the heap leach or they may be allowed to populate it without intervention. If the bacteria are introduced to the heap via an irrigation system, the bacterial culture is typically enriched by being grown in agitated aerated tanks. This culture is then introduced to the heap irrigation system as a means of inoculating the heap. This method may be practiced as a once-off addition, or the bacteria may be added during the acidification of the ore which may take several weeks (Groudev,S.N.,et al. 1995. Pilot scale microbial heap leaching of gold from a refractory ore at Zlata Mine Bulgaria, pp 425 - 435 in Vargas, Jarez, Wiertz and Toledeo (eds.), Biohydrometallurgical Processing Volume 1. International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium IBS-95, Vina del Mar, Chile). Alternatively, irrigation of the heap with a nutrient solution can provide any indigenous bacteria with essential trace elements required for their growth and metabolism of the sulphide minerals. The nutrient solution might typically include, but is not limited to, phosphate, magnesium, potassium, and nitrogen, the latter in the form of ammonium.
The method of the present invention has of one object thereof to increase the rate and quantum of metal recoveries when compared with those of prior art processes.
The preceding discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application.
Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Disclosure of the Invention
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for the adaptation of bacteria for use in the leaching of ores and concentrates, the method characterised by the method steps of:
a) combining a mineral sample with a stock bacterial culture;
b) scaling up the volume of the combined mineral sample and inoculum to a desired level; and
c) utilising the scaled-up volume of bacteria in the leaching of an ore or concentrate.
Preferably, the process of adaptation proceeds at a temperature chosen in light of the temperature typically experienced at the source of the mineral sample.
Preferably, step a) provides a liquor comprising about 10% volume/volume of a slurry sample of stock inoculum to volume of OK nutrient solution. The combination preferably occurs in a vessel that is constantly stirred and aerated.
Still preferably, the mineral sample is added at a concentration of 1% weight/volume.
The adaptation of the bacteria to the ore preferably takes place at a chosen temperature that is maintained throughout the adaptation.
The scaling-up of step b) is preferably undertaken once bacterial numbers in the combined solution of step a) reach a level of about 108cells/ml.
Preferably, the process of scaling-up in step b) involves the transfer of the liquor from step a) from a relatively small vessel to a larger vessel, with the addition of any necessary water and/or nutrient solution. Preferably, the method of the present invention further comprises the additional method step of:
d) continual inoculation of a heap to inundate the heap with the adapted introduced species.
The process of scaling-up preferably involves the following method steps:
b)(i) transferring the liquor from a first vessel utilised in step (a) to a second vessel of greater volume;
b)(ii) adding water and nutrient solution to the second vessel so as to make up the volume thereof;
b)(iii) allowing a build-up of bacterial numbers to about 108cells/ml; and
b)(iv) either repeating steps (b)(i) to (b)(iii) or moving to step (c).
Preferably, the water of the second vessel is heated to an appropriate temperature prior to the addition of the nutrient solution. Sulphuric acid is preferably added until a desired pH for the nutrient solution is achieved. Addition of the culture from step b)(i) preferably follows.
The dissolved O2 content, pH and oxidation reduction potential of the liquor content of the vessels are preferably measured and recorded, together with the levels of metals reporting to solution.
Preferably, during the adaptation process the stock bacterial culture and any indigenous bacteria present undergo an exchange of genetic material.
In accordance with the present invention there is further provided a method for the inoculation of an ore heap, the method characterised by the steps of:
a) adding a bacterial culture to the heap during its construction; b) adding the same culture to the heap once constructed; and
c) adding the same culture to the heap during operation of the heap leach.
Preferably, the bacterial culture is added to the heap during steps a) and b) on an about weekly basis. Addition of the bacterial culture during step c) may occur less frequently than steps a) and b) but acts to ensure that the preferred bacteria are present and dominate the heap.
Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention
The methods of the present invention will now be described with reference to one embodiment thereof, by way of example only.
Before bacteria are added to a heap the bacterial cultures are adapted to the ore or mineral, and grown up gradually to a desired volume. Stock bacterial cultures are maintained within the laboratory. When new samples of mineral enter the laboratory it is these stock bacterial cultures that are adapted to the ore. The adaptation procedure allows any indigenous bacteria present on the ore or mineral, and capable of operating under the imposed conditions, to grow and live compatibly with the introduced bacterial culture.
Prior to commencing any bacterial adaptation it is important to determine what type of a leach the bacteria will be used for. Leaches may include tank, heap, or dump. This consideration will help determine a temperature range in which the bacteria will operate. In addition, it is important to determine the temperature of the area where the ore comes from as this will indicate the temperatures that many indigenous bacteria may operate within.
The process of adaptation comprises the addition of a 10% volume/volume of a slurry sample of stock inoculum to a volume of OK nutrient solution. The mineral or ore sample is added at a concentration of 1% weight by volume. The mineral or ore sample may contain some indigenous bacteria, as noted hereinabove. Adaptation of the bacterial culture to the ore or mineral takes place at a temperature determined and chosen by an operator on the basis of the temperatures experienced at the source of the particular ore or mineral. This temperature is maintained throughout the process of adaptation. The adaptation vessel is stirred and aerated constantly. Aeration takes place, in a laboratory test, at a rate of 1 L of air per minute per litre of slurry. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis is conducted on the solution to track the levels of metal released into solution. Examination of the bacterial culture is also conducted under the microscope to count the number of bacterial cells per millilitre of solution.
During the adaptation phase any indigenous bacteria present on the ore or mineral sample may grow, provided they can operate under the imposed conditions. Bacteria are capable of transferring genetic material and this occurs readily in this environment. Adapting the non-indigenous bacterial culture with some indigenous bacteria allows the indigenous bacteria to transfer genetic material to the non-indigenous bacteria and vice versa. Generally, the genetic material transferred to the non-indigenous bacteria confers resistance to certain environmental challenges, including for example heavy metals, salts, temperature and the like.
Once the bacterial numbers in the liquor are sufficiently high, in the range of approximately 108 cells per millilitre, the liquor or bacterial culture can be scaled- up in a stepwise fashion, this may vary from a two fold scale-up to a one hundred fold scale-up. The scale-up process involves transferring the volume of bacteria to a larger agitated aerated tank and increasing the volume, through the addition of a nutrient solution. The bacteria are then fed sulphide mineral.
An example of a bacterial scale-up might be a ten fold scale up from 1m3 to 10m3. This process would involve transferring the bacterial culture from a 1 m3 tank to a 10m3 tank. The nutrient solution may be added before or after the transfer of the bacterial culture. This example involves the transfer of the bacterial culture to a tank already containing some nutrient solution. The tank is half filled with an appropriate water supply, this being heated and agitated until a desired temperature is achieved. Once the temperature has been reached the full complement of nutrients is added to the tank and sulphuric acid added gradually until the desired pH of the nutrient solution is achieved. Transfer of the bacterial culture follows.
Once the bacterial culture has been transferred, the volume of the tank is made up to the desired level by the addition of water, and finally ore or concentrate can be added as a feed source for the bacteria.
Throughout the scale up procedure the dissolved oxygen content, pH, oxidation- reduction potential of the liquor are measured and recorded as well as the levels of metals reporting to solution. Bacterial cells within solution are allowed to build up to numbers in the range of 108cells/mL before being transferred either to the heap or to the next sized tank. This process of scaling up the volume of the culture is continued until the desired volume of bacteria required to commence inoculation of the bacterial heap is achieved. Once the required volume of liquor is achieved and the bacterial numbers in solution therein are satisfactory the ore heap may be inoculated with the bacterial culture.
The bacterial culture is added to the heap at three stages, the stages being during construction of the heap, once construction of the heap is completed, and during the operation of the heap leach. The bacterial culture is pumped from a holding tank to the main pump where the bacterial stream is diluted with nutrient solution, the mixed stream then moves through a coarse filter to remove large particles before being passed through a dripper/spray irrigation system onto the heap. During construction of the heap, when irrigation hosing may not be in place, a hose is attached to the outlet of the filter and the bacterial culture is sprayed manually onto the heap. Alternatively, a sprinkler may be used.
Inoculation of the heap takes place regularly, at least once a week, to ensure that the bred bacteria are present and dominate the system. It is envisaged that the method for adaptation of bacteria of the present invention may be used to prepare a culture for use in any form of leaching, including that conducted in tanks and dumps, in addition to the heap leach described.
Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims
1. A method for the adaptation of bacteria for use in the leaching of ores and concentrates, the method characterised by the method steps of:
a) combining a mineral sample with a stock bacterial culture;
b) scaling up the volume of the combined mineral sample and inoculum to a desired level; and
c) utilising the scaled-up volume of bacteria in the leaching of an ore or concentrate.
2. A method according to claim 1 , characterised in that the process of adaptation proceeds at a temperature chosen in light of the temperature typically experienced at the source of the mineral sample.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that step a) comprises a liquor comprising about 10% volume/volume of a slurry sample of stock inoculum to volume of OK nutrient solution.
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the combination of step a) occurs in a vessel that is constantly stirred and aerated.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mineral sample is added at a concentration of 1 % weight/volume.
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the chosen temperature is maintained throughout the adaptation.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the scaling-up of step b) is undertaken once bacterial numbers in the combined solution of step a) reach a level of about 108cells/ml.
8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the process of scaling-up in step b) involves the transfer of the liquor from step a) from a relatively small vessel to a larger vessel, with the addition of any necessary water and/or nutrient solution.
9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the method further comprises the additional method step of:
d) continual inoculation of a heap to inundate the heap with the adapted introduced species.
10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the process of scaling-up of step b) comprises the following method steps:
b)(i)transferring the liquor from a first vessel utilised in step a) to a second vessel of greater volume;
b)(ii) adding water and nutrient solution to the second vessel so as to make up the volume thereof;
b)(iii) allowing a build-up of bacterial numbers to about 108cells/ml; and
b)(iv) either repeating steps b)(i) to b)(iii) or moving to step c).
11. A method according to claim 10, characterised in that the water of the second vessel is heated to an appropriate temperature prior to the addition of the nutrient solution.
12. A method according to claim 10 or 11 , characterised in that sulphuric acid is added to the second vessel until a desired pH for the nutrient solution is achieved.
13. A method according to claim 12, characterised in that addition of the culture from step (b)(i) follows.
14. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the dissolved O2 content, pH and oxidation reduction potential of the liquor content of the vessels are measured and recorded, together with the levels of metals reporting to solution.
15. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that during the adaptation process the stock bacterial culture and any indigenous bacteria present undergo an exchange of genetic material.
16. A method for the inoculation of an ore heap, the method characterised by the steps of:
a) adding a bacterial culture to the heap during its construction;
b) adding the same culture to the heap once constructed; and
c) adding the same culture to the heap during operation of the heap leach.
17. A method according to claim 16, characterised in that the bacterial culture is added to the heap during steps a) and b) on an about weekly basis.
18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that the addition of the bacterial culture during step c) occurs less frequently than steps a) and b) but acts to ensure that the preferred bacteria are present and dominate the heap.
PCT/AU2002/000182 2001-02-22 2002-02-21 Adaptation of bacteria for leaching WO2002066689A1 (en)

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AUPR3292A AUPR329201A0 (en) 2001-02-22 2001-02-22 Adaptation of bacteria for leaching

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3034635A1 (en) * 2014-12-15 2016-06-22 Middle East Mine and Industry Company Tank bioleaching of copper sulfide ores

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5676733A (en) * 1993-12-03 1997-10-14 Geobiotics, Inc. Method for recovering metal values from concentrates of sulfide minerals
EP0808910A2 (en) * 1996-05-21 1997-11-26 Board of Control of Michigan Technological University Apparatus and method for the generation and use of ferric ions produced by bacteria
WO2000037690A1 (en) * 1998-12-18 2000-06-29 The University Of British Columbia Silver-catalyzed bio-leaching process for copper extraction from chalcopyrite heap
US6096113A (en) * 1997-05-16 2000-08-01 Echo Bay Mines, Limited Integrated, closed tank biooxidation/heap bioleach/precious metal leach processes for treating refractory sulfide ores
WO2001018264A1 (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-15 Pacific Ore Technology (Australia) Ltd Improved bacterial oxidation of sulphide ores and concentrates
WO2001044519A1 (en) * 1999-12-15 2001-06-21 Pacific Ore Technology (Australia) Ltd A bacterially assisted heap leach

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5676733A (en) * 1993-12-03 1997-10-14 Geobiotics, Inc. Method for recovering metal values from concentrates of sulfide minerals
EP0808910A2 (en) * 1996-05-21 1997-11-26 Board of Control of Michigan Technological University Apparatus and method for the generation and use of ferric ions produced by bacteria
US6096113A (en) * 1997-05-16 2000-08-01 Echo Bay Mines, Limited Integrated, closed tank biooxidation/heap bioleach/precious metal leach processes for treating refractory sulfide ores
WO2000037690A1 (en) * 1998-12-18 2000-06-29 The University Of British Columbia Silver-catalyzed bio-leaching process for copper extraction from chalcopyrite heap
WO2001018264A1 (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-15 Pacific Ore Technology (Australia) Ltd Improved bacterial oxidation of sulphide ores and concentrates
WO2001044519A1 (en) * 1999-12-15 2001-06-21 Pacific Ore Technology (Australia) Ltd A bacterially assisted heap leach

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3034635A1 (en) * 2014-12-15 2016-06-22 Middle East Mine and Industry Company Tank bioleaching of copper sulfide ores
EP3578673A1 (en) * 2014-12-15 2019-12-11 Middle East Mine and Industry Company Tank bioleaching of copper sulfide ores

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