Abstract: A process includes at least formulating an aqueous oxidizing solution by addition of ingredients to water, wherein the aqueous oxidizing solution has a pH of less than 0.7 primarily from at least one strong acid, at between 0.04% and 0.42% weight/volume of persulphate anions, and 0.03% to 0.1% weight/volume of hydrogen peroxide; an irradiation step wherein ozone is produced by irradiating oxygen with an ultraviolet source wherein the ozone is present in the solution at a concentration of 0.75 to 2 mg/L ozone; a metal solubilization step of oxidizing and thereby rendering soluble a desired at least one metal from a ground amount of ore in suspension; collecting a pregnant liquor from the suspension; and selectively removing at least a portion of the at least one metal from the liquor while at a pH of less than 3, such that any remaining liquid is a recyclable liquor.

Abstract: A process for using an aqueous oxidizing solution includes at least steps of formulating the aqueous oxidizing solution by addition of ingredients to water; a metal solubilization step of oxidizing and thereby rendering soluble a desired at least one metal from a ground amount of ore in suspension; collecting a pregnant liquor from the suspension; and selectively removing at least a portion of the at least one metal from the liquor while at a pH of less than 3, such that any remaining liquid is a recyclable liquor. The aqueous oxidizing solution has a pH of less than 0.7 primarily as a result of the presence of at least one strong acid and persulphate anions. The aqueous oxidizing solution contains anions selected from a group consisting of chloride, bromide, iodide and nitrate.