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 system and method for improving leach kinetics and recovery during above-atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of: (a) producing a metal sulfide concentrate [34] via flotation; (b) moving the produced metal sulfide concentrate [34] to at least one chamber [22a] of at least one reactor such as an autoclave [20]; (c) leaching the produced metal sulfide concentrate in said at least one chamber [22a] in the presence of oxygen [82] at a pressure and/or temperature above ambient, and in the presence of partially-used [25] and/or or new [92] grinding media within the at least one chamber [22a]. Systems [10] and apparatus [20, 200] for practicing the aforementioned method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for improving leach kinetics and recovery during above-atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of: (a) producing a metal sulfide concentrate [34] via flotation; (b) moving the produced metal sulfide concentrate [34] to at least one chamber [22a] of at least one reactor such as an autoclave [20]; (c) leaching the produced metal sulfide concentrate in said at least one chamber [22a] in the presence of oxygen [82] at a pressure and/or temperature above ambient, and in the presence of partially-used [25] and/or or new [92] grinding media within the at least one chamber [22a]. Systems [10] and apparatus [20, 200] for practicing the aforementioned method 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 steps of: (a) producing a metal sulfide flotation concentrate; (b) processing the metal sulfide concentrate in a reductive activation circuit that operates at a first redox potential, to produce a reductively-activated metal sulfide concentrate; and, (c) subsequently processing the activated metal sulfide concentrate in an oxidative leach circuit to extract metal values. In some disclosed embodiments, reductive activation steps may be employed prior to oxidative leaching steps (including heap leap leaching or bio-leaching steps). In some embodiments, physico-chemical processing steps may be employed during reductive activation and/or oxidative leaching. Systems for practicing the aforementioned methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling frothing during atmospheric or substantially atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of (a) producing a metal sulfide concentrate via flotation; (b) producing a tailings stream via flotation; and, (c) diverting a portion or all of said produced tailings stream to an atmospheric or substantially atmospheric sulfide leach circuit. A metal recovery flowsheet is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the metal recovery flowsheet may comprise a unit operation comprising: (a) a sulfide concentrator comprising a flotation circuit, the flotation circuit producing a metal sulfide concentrate stream, and a tailings stream; and, (b) an atmospheric or substantially atmospheric metal sulfide leach circuit. The sulfide concentrator may be operatively connected to the atmospheric or substantially atmospheric metal sulfide leach circuit via both of said metal sulfide concentrate stream, and said tailings stream.

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 steps of: (a) producing a metal sulfide flotation concentrate; (b) processing the metal sulfide concentrate in a reductive activation circuit that operates at a first redox potential, to produce a reductively-activated metal sulfide concentrate; and, (c) subsequently processing the activated metal sulfide concentrate in an oxidative leach circuit to extract metal values. In some disclosed embodiments, reductive activation steps may be employed prior to oxidative leaching steps (including heap leap leaching or bio-leaching steps). In some embodiments, physico-chemical processing steps may be employed during reductive activation and/or oxidative leaching. Systems for practicing the aforementioned methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling frothing during atmospheric or substantially atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of (a) producing a metal sulfide concentrate via flotation; (b) producing a tailings stream via flotation; and, (c) diverting a portion or all of said produced tailings stream to an atmospheric or substantially atmospheric sulfide leach circuit. A metal recovery flowsheet is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the metal recovery flowsheet may comprise a unit operation comprising: (a) a sulfide concentrator comprising a flotation circuit, the flotation circuit producing a metal sulfide concentrate stream, and a tailings stream; and, (b) an atmospheric or substantially atmospheric metal sulfide leach circuit. The sulfide concentrator may be operatively connected to the atmospheric or substantially atmospheric metal sulfide leach circuit via both of said metal sulfide concentrate stream, and said tailings stream.