Patents Assigned to Freeport Minerals Corporation
  • Patent number: 11823099
    Abstract: The method may comprise receiving historical data (e.g., mineralogy data, irrigation data, raffinate data, heat data, lift height data, geographic data on ore placement and/or blower data); training a predictive model using the historical data to create a trained predictive model; adding future assumption data to the trained predictive model; running the forecast engine for a plurality of parameters to obtain forecast data for a mining production target; comparing the forecast data for the mining production target to the actual data for the mining production target; determining deviations between the forecast data and the actual data, based on the comparing; and changing each of the plurality of parameters from the forecast data to the actual data to determine a contribution to the deviations for each of the plurality of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luciano Kiniti Issoe, Tianfang Ni, Oleksandr Klesov, Luke Gerdes, Raquel Crossman, Muneeb Alam, Dana Geislinger, Travis Gaddie, Margaret Alden Tinsley, Steven Chad Richardson, Akaash Sanyal, Cory A. Demieville, Robyn Freeman
  • Patent number: 11807952
    Abstract: A method of acid mist suppression in copper electrowinning is described. In various embodiments, at least one liquid licorice root extract, powdered licorice root extract, or reconstituted licorice extract is added in an amount sufficient to the acidic electrolyte solution of the copper electrowinning process to suppress acid mist from the acidic electrolyte solution during the copper electrowinning process. In various embodiments, combinations of licorice extract and surfactant show synergies in acid mist suppression during copper electrowinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scot Philip Sandoval, Stanberg Lee Tallman, William Duane Sanders, Ephrem Lemlem Gebrehiwot, Aron Tyab
  • Patent number: 11772101
    Abstract: A drum assembly for a ball mill system may comprise: a drum having a first flange extending axially forward from a first radial wall, a second flange extending axially aft from a second radial wall, and a cylinder shell extending axially from a first radially outer end of the first radial wall to a second radially outer end of the second radial wall; a frame coupled to the first flange; and an inlet liner coupled to the frame, the inlet liner comprising a plurality of inlet segments disposed circumferentially adjacent to each other, the inlet liner defining an inlet radius for the drum assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dale Coray
  • Publication number: 20230227934
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a leaching solution monitoring module comprising a first leaching solution distribution system interface, a flow meter in fluid communication with the first leaching solution distribution system interface, the flow meter in fluid communication a 3-way pressure regulator, and a second leaching solution distribution system interface in fluid communication with the 3-way pressure regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Warren Dean, JR., Christopher Wooten, Chase Zenner
  • Publication number: 20230219097
    Abstract: A drum assembly for a ball mill system may comprise: a drum having a first flange extending axially forward from a first radial wall, a second flange extending axially aft from a second radial wall, and a cylinder shell extending axially from a first radially outer end of the first radial wall to a second radially outer end of the second radial wall; a frame coupled to the first flange; and an inlet liner coupled to the frame, the inlet liner comprising a plurality of inlet segments disposed circumferentially adjacent to each other, the inlet liner defining an inlet radius for the drum assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dale Coray
  • Patent number: 11681959
    Abstract: The method may comprise receiving historical data (e.g., mineralogy data, irrigation data, raffinate data, heat data, lift height data, geographic data on ore placement and/or blower data); training a predictive model using the historical data to create a trained predictive model; adding future assumption data to the trained predictive model; running the forecast engine for a plurality of parameters to obtain forecast data for a mining production target; comparing the forecast data for the mining production target to the actual data for the mining production target; determining deviations between the forecast data and the actual data, based on the comparing; and changing each of the plurality of parameters from the forecast data to the actual data to determine a contribution to the deviations for each of the plurality of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dana Geislinger, Travis Gaddie, Margaret Alden Tinsley, Muneeb Alam, Steven Chad Richardson, Akaash Sanyal, Raquel Crossman, Tianfang Ni, Cory A. Demieville, Luke Gerdes, Robyn Freeman, Oleksandr Klesov, Luciano Kiniti Issoe
  • Publication number: 20230134310
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a metal recovery process comprising a solvent extraction process. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a plant with a first and second circuit. A high-grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) is provided to the first and second circuit, and a low-grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) is provided to the second circuit. The first circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can be forwarded to a primary metal recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which can be forwarded to a secondary metal recovery process. The second circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can also be forwarded to the primary metal recovery process. The first and second circuits are in fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason M. Morgan, Barbara J. Savage, David G. Meadows, Wayne W. Hazen
  • Patent number: 11639539
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a leaching solution monitoring module comprising a first leaching solution distribution system interface, a flow meter in fluid communication with the first leaching solution distribution system interface, the flow meter in fluid communication a 3-way pressure regulator, and a second leaching solution distribution system interface in fluid communication with the 3-way pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Warren Dean, Jr., Christopher Wooten, Chase Zenner
  • Publication number: 20230111432
    Abstract: A method of acid mist suppression in copper electrowinning is described. In various embodiments, at least one liquid licorice root extract, powdered licorice root extract, or reconstituted licorice extract is added in an amount sufficient to the acidic electrolyte solution of the copper electrowinning process to suppress acid mist from the acidic electrolyte solution during the copper electrowinning process. In various embodiments, combinations of licorice extract and surfactant show synergies in acid mist suppression during copper electrowinning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scot Philip Sandoval, Stanberg Lee Tallman, William Duane Sanders, Ephrem Lemlem Gebrehiwot, Aron Tyab
  • Publication number: 20230110076
    Abstract: A method of acid mist suppression in copper electrowinning is described. In various embodiments, at least one liquid licorice root extract, powdered licorice root extract, or reconstituted licorice extract is added in an amount sufficient to the acidic electrolyte solution of the copper electrowinning process to suppress acid mist from the acidic electrolyte solution during the copper electrowinning process. In various embodiments, combinations of licorice extract and surfactant show synergies in acid mist suppression during copper electrowinning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scot Philip Sandoval, Stanberg Lee Tallman, William Duane Sanders, Ephrem Lemlem Gebrehiwot, Aron Tyab
  • Publication number: 20230090475
    Abstract: Methods for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing material are provided. The method comprises agglomerating the metal-bearing material with an agglomeration solution comprising a raffinate, an oxidant, and citric acid or salts thereof to form an agglomerated metal-bearing material; leaching the agglomerated metal-bearing material with a leaching solution comprising the raffinate and the citric acid or salts thereof to produce a pregnant leaching solution and a leached material; re-oxidizing the leached material with a curing solution comprising the raffinate and the oxidant; and recovering the metal value from the pregnant leach solution to produce the raffinate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sarah Lyons
  • Publication number: 20230086259
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing material is provided. The method includes agglomerating the metal-bearing material with an agglomeration solution, which contains a raffinate and hydrogen peroxide, to form an agglomerated metal-bearing material. The method further includes leaching the agglomerated metal-bearing material with a leaching solution, which contains the raffinate and citric acid, to produce a pregnant leaching solution. The method further includes recovering the metal value from the pregnant leaching solution to produce the raffinate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sarah Lyons
  • Patent number: 11584974
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a metal recovery process comprising a solvent extraction process. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a plant with a first and second circuit. A high-grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) is provided to the first and second circuit, and a low-grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) is provided to the second circuit. The first circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can be forwarded to a primary metal recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which can be forwarded to a secondary metal recovery process. The second circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can also be forwarded to the primary metal recovery process. The first and second circuits are in fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason M Morgan, Barbara J Savage, David G Meadows, Wayne W Hazen
  • Patent number: 11521138
    Abstract: The method may comprise receiving historical data (e.g., mineralogy data, irrigation data, raffinate data, heat data, lift height data, geographic data on ore placement and/or blower data); training a predictive model using the historical data to create a trained predictive model; adding future assumption data to the trained predictive model; running the forecast engine for a plurality of parameters to obtain forecast data for a mining production target; comparing the forecast data for the mining production target to the actual data for the mining production target; determining deviations between the forecast data and the actual data, based on the comparing; and changing each of the plurality of parameters from the forecast data to the actual data to determine a contribution to the deviations for each of the plurality of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dana Geislinger, Travis Gaddie, Margaret Alden Tinsley, Muneeb Alam, Steven Chad Richardson, Akaash Sanyal, Raquel Crossman, Tianfang Ni, Cory A. Demieville, Luke Gerdes, Robyn Freeman, Oleksandr Klesov, Luciano Kiniti Issoe
  • Publication number: 20220290270
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for separating a liquid from organic particles. The mixer-settler extraction cell includes a flow distributor. The flow distributor comprises a chevron-shaped series of welded plates, which separates the incoming flow stream of liquid and organic particles from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven Richardson
  • Publication number: 20220259695
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a leaching solution monitoring module comprising a first leaching solution distribution system interface, a flow meter in fluid communication with the first leaching solution distribution system interface, the flow meter in fluid communication a 3-way pressure regulator, and a second leaching solution distribution system interface in fluid communication with the 3-way pressure regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Warren Dean, JR., Christopher Wooten, Chase Zenner
  • Patent number: 11359257
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for separating a liquid from organic particles. The mixer-settler extraction cell includes a flow distributor. The flow distributor comprises a chevron-shaped series of welded plates, which separates the incoming flow stream of liquid and organic particles from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven Richardson
  • Patent number: 11332808
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a leaching solution monitoring module comprising a first leaching solution distribution system interface, a flow meter in fluid communication with the first leaching solution distribution system interface, the flow meter in fluid communication a 3-way pressure regulator, and a second leaching solution distribution system interface in fluid communication with the 3-way pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Warren Dean, Jr., Christopher Wooten, Chase Zenner
  • Publication number: 20220119913
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of recovering copper, molybdenum, and a precious metal value from a metal-bearing material, the method comprising bulk flotation of the metal-bearing material to form a flotation product, wherein the metal-bearing material comprises a copper compound, a molybdenum compound, and at least one precious metal value, pressure oxidizing the flotation product to form a pressure oxidized discharge, separating the pressure oxidized discharge to form a separated liquid and separated solid, extracting molybdenum, via a molybdenum solution extraction, from the separated liquid to form a molybdenum-containing stream and a copper-containing stream, extracting copper, via a copper solution extraction, from the copper-containing stream, and extracting the precious metal value, via a cyanide leaching process, from the separated solid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christine Rae Green, Brenda Lizzet Mota, Santosh Srivatsa Gunturi, Manuel G. Villalba, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220119917
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of recovering copper, molybdenum, and a precious metal value from a metal-bearing material, the method comprising bulk flotation of the metal-bearing material to form a flotation product, wherein the metal-bearing material comprises a copper compound, a molybdenum compound, at least one precious metal value, and a silicate, pressure oxidizing the flotation product to form a pressure oxidized discharge, separating the pressure oxidized discharge to form a separated liquid and separated solid, extracting molybdenum, via a molybdenum solution extraction, from the separated liquid to form a molybdenum-containing stream and a copper-containing stream, extracting copper, via a copper solution extraction, from the copper-containing stream, and extracting the precious metal value, via a cyanide leaching process, from the separated solid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brenda Lizzet Mota, Thomas R. Bolles, Christine Rae Green, Santosh Srivatsa Gunturi, Manuel G. Villalba, JR.