Patents Assigned to Ingesol LTDA.
  • Heap leaching copper ore using sodium nitrate
    Patent number: 6569391
    Abstract: The heap leaching of copper bearing ores is improved by using sodium nitrate as an oxidizing chemical reactive in a sulphuric acid leaching solution. In particular, the ore is crushed to <6 mm and stored in heaps less than twelve meters high. The heaps are irrigated with a dilute solution consisting essentially of sulphuric acid and sodium nitrate to produce a leach product. The leach product is recovered from the heap and copper is recovered from the leach product by electrolysis. The pH of the heap is preferably maintained at ≦1.7 pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Ingesol LTDA.
    Inventor: Jaime A. Arias