Patents by Inventor Craig Van Buuren

Craig Van Buuren has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method of and apparatus for simulating a biological heap leaching process
    Patent number: 7727510
    Abstract: A microbiological heap leaching simulation process wherein material, representative of ore in a heap, is microbiologically leached in a housing and the temperature of the material at a plurality of locations in the housing is monitored and controlled to reduce heat loss from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: BHP Billiton SA Limited
    Inventor: Craig Van Buuren
  • Optimization of bioleaching process
    Patent number: 7494529
    Abstract: A method for optimizing a bioleaching process, at least in respect of heat generation and primary copper sulphide leaching, by actively monitoring and controlling inorganic and organic compounds in a raffinate solution, produced in the process, to levels below that which could be inhibitory to microbial activity of bioleaching strains used in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: BHP Billiton SA Limited
    Inventors: Sanette H. De Kock, Paul Barnard, Clint Bowker, Hannes Strauss, Craig Van Buuren, John Batty, Chris Andre Du Plessis