Patents Represented by Law Firm Door, Carson, Sloan & Birney, P.C.
  • Integrated, tank/heap biooxidation process
    Patent number: 5873927
    Abstract: A metal-containing refractory sulfide ore is split into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is partially biodigested by a sulfide-digesting microorganism in a biooxidation reactor where the microorganism is acclimated to the sulfide "diet" provided by the ore. The partially digested ore is then combined with the second portion. The resulting material is then dewatered, biooxidized and subjected to a lixiviation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignees: Echo Bay Mines, Limited, Biomin Technologies SA
    Inventors: Michael R. Schaffner, John D. Batty