Abstract: A method of improving metal leach kinetics and recovery during atmospheric or substantially atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the step of processing a metal sulfide concentrate in a reductive activation circuit 220 that operates at a first redox potential, to produce a reductively-activated metal sulfide concentrate. The method may further comprise the step of subsequently processing the activated metal sulfide concentrate in an oxidative leach circuit 240 to extract metal values. In some disclosed embodiments, reductive activation steps and/or oxidative dissolution steps may employ mechano-chemical and/or physico-chemical processing of particles or agglomerates thereof. Reductive activation may be made prior to heap leaching or bio-leaching operations to improve metal extraction. Systems for practicing the aforementioned methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems for improving metal leach kinetics and metal recovery during atmospheric or substantially atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide are disclosed. In some embodiments, an oxidative leach circuit 200 may employ Mechano-Chemcial/Physico-Chemical processing means for improving leach kinetics and/or metal recovery. In preferred embodiments, the Mechano-Chemcial/Physico-Chemical means comprises various combinations of stirred-tank reactors 202 and shear-tank reactors 212. As will be described herein, the stirred-tank reactors 202 and shear-tank reactors 212 may be arranged in series and/or in parallel with each other, without limitation. In some non-limiting embodiments, a shear-tank reactor 212 may also be disposed, in-situ, within a stirred-tank reactor 202.

Abstract: A method of improving metal leach kinetics and recovery during atmospheric or substantially atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the step of processing a metal sulfide concentrate in a reductive activation circuit 220 that operates at a first redox potential, to produce a reductively-activated metal sulfide concentrate. The method may further comprise the step of subsequently processing the activated metal sulfide concentrate in an oxidative leach circuit 240 to extract metal values. In some disclosed embodiments, reductive activation steps and/or oxidative dissolution steps may employ mechano-chemical and/or physico-chemical processing of particles or agglomerates thereof. Reductive activation may be made prior to heap leaching or bio-leaching operations to improve metal extraction. Systems for practicing the aforementioned methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of improving metal leach kinetics and recovery during atmospheric or substantially atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the step of processing a metal sulfide concentrate in a reductive activation circuit 220 that operates at a first redox potential, to produce a reductively-activated metal sulfide concentrate. The method may further comprise the step of subsequently processing the activated metal sulfide concentrate in an oxidative leach circuit 240 to extract metal values. In some disclosed embodiments, reductive activation steps and/or oxidative dissolution steps may employ mechano-chemical and/or physico-chemical processing of particles or agglomerates thereof. Reductive activation may be made prior to heap leaching or bio-leaching operations to improve metal extraction. Systems for practicing the aforementioned methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling iron in a hydrometallurgical process is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of: leaching (14, 114) a feed slurry (2, 102); forming a pregnant leach solution (12a, 12b; 112a, 112b); removing a first leach residue (18, 118) from the pregnant leach solution (12a, 12b); and sending a portion (12b, 112b) of the pregnant leach solution (12a, 12b) and/or raffinate (22, 122) produced therefrom, to an iron removal process (34, 134). According to some preferred embodiments, the iron removal process (34, 134) may comprise the steps of: sequentially processing the pregnant leach solution (12a, 12b) and/or raffinate (22, 122) produced therefrom in a first reactor (R1) a second reactor (R2), and a third reactor (R3); maintaining a pH level of the first reactor (R1) above 4, by virtue of the addition of a first base; maintaining a pH level of the second (R2) and/or third (R3) reactors above 8.5, by virtue of a second base; and forming solids (46) comprising magnetite (68).

Abstract: A method of controlling iron in a hydrometallurgical process is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of: leaching (14, 114) a feed slurry (2, 102); forming a pregnant leach solution (12a, 12b; 112a, 112b); removing a first leach residue (18, 118) from the pregnant leach solution (12a, 12b); and sending a portion (12b, 112b) of the pregnant leach solution (12a, 12b) and/or raffinate (22, 122) produced therefrom, to an iron removal process (34, 134). According to some preferred embodiments, the iron removal process (34, 134) may comprise the steps of: sequentially processing the pregnant leach solution (12a, 12b) and/or raffinate (22, 122) produced therefrom in a first reactor (R1) a second reactor (R2), and a third reactor (R3); maintaining a pH level of the first reactor (R1) above 4, by virtue of the addition of a first base; maintaining a pH level of the second (R2) and/or third (R3) reactors above 8.5, by virtue of a second base; and forming solids (46) comprising magnetite (68).

Abstract: A method of improving leach kinetics and recovery during atmospheric or above-atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. A system for practicing the aforementioned method is also disclosed. Apparatus for practicing the aforementioned method is also disclosed. A new composition of matter which is formed by the aforementioned method, and which may be utilized in the system and apparatus is further disclosed. The new composition of matter may exhibit improved leach kinetics, and may have some utility in the semi-conductor arts, including uses within photovoltaic materials.

Abstract: A method of improving leach kinetics and recovery during atmospheric or above-atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. A system for practicing the aforementioned method is also disclosed. Apparatus for practicing the aforementioned method is also disclosed. A new composition of matter which is formed by the aforementioned method, and which may be utilized in the system and apparatus is further disclosed. The new composition of matter may exhibit improved leach kinetics, and may have some utility in the semi-conductor arts, including uses within photovoltaic materials.

Abstract: A method of improving metal leach kinetics and recovery during atmospheric or substantially atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the step of processing a metal sulfide concentrate in a reductive activation circuit 220 that operates at a first redox potential, to produce a reductively-activated metal sulfide concentrate. The method may further comprise the step of subsequently processing the activated metal sulfide concentrate in an oxidative leach circuit 240 to extract metal values. In some disclosed embodiments, reductive activation steps and/or oxidative dissolution steps may employ mechano-chemical and/or physico-chemical processing of particles or agglomerates thereof. Reductive activation may be made prior to heap leaching or bio-leaching operations to improve metal extraction. Systems for practicing the aforementioned methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds which display enhanced reactive properties due, in part, to induced lattice strain. The new compounds demonstrate accelerated leaching of copper under oxidizing conditions. The activated compounds are produced under conditions of time, temperature, Eh, and pH which retard the rate of lattice strain relaxation. Further disclosed are methods of making and using the novel compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds which display enhanced reactive properties due, in part, to induced lattice strain. The new compounds demonstrate accelerated leaching of copper under oxidizing conditions. The activated compounds are produced under conditions of time, temperature, Eh, and pH which retard the rate of lattice strain relaxation. Further disclosed are methods of making and using the novel compounds.