Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to a method for electrowinning copper powder, and more particularly to a method for electrowinning copper powder from a copper-containing solution using the ferrous/ferric anode reaction. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a process for producing copper powder by electrowinning employs alternative anode reaction technology, namely, the ferrous/ferric anode reaction, and enables the efficient and cost-effective production of copper powder at a total cell voltage of less than about 1.5 V and at current densities of greater than 50 A/ft2. A copper powder electrowinning process in accordance with the present invention also reduces or eliminates acid mist generation that is characteristic of electrowinning operations utilizing conventional electrowinning chemistry (e.g., oxygen evolution at the anode), which is advantageous.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for recovering metal values from metal-bearing materials. During a reactive process, a seeding agent is introduced to provide a nucleation site for the crystallization and/or growth of solid species which otherwise tend to passivate the reactive process or otherwise encapsulate the metal value, thereby reducing the amount of desired metal values partially or completely encapsulated by such material. The seeding agent may be generated in a number of ways, including the recycling of residue or the introduction of foreign substances. Systems embodying aspects of the present invention may be beneficial for recovering a variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, zinc, rhenium, uranium, rare earth metals, and platinum group metals from any metal-bearing material, such as ores and concentrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for the production of sulfuric acid and liberation of precious metal values from materials containing sulfur through pressure leaching operations. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the sulfur-bearing materials may comprise residues from pressure leaching operations, such as those carried out at medium temperatures. The process of the present invention can be advantageously used to convert such sulfur-bearing materials to sulfuric acid by means of pressure leaching. The sulfuric acid so produced can be used beneficially in other mineral processing operations, for example those at the site where it is produced. Metals, such as precious metals, that are contained within the sulfur-bearing materials advantageously may be recovered from processing products by established precious metals recovery technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper from a metal-bearing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a substantially acid-autogenous process for recovering copper from chalcopyrite-containing ore using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning in combination with a leaching, solvent/solution extraction and electrowinning operation.

Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.

Abstract: A floating, barge unloader system by which open hopper barges containing granular materials are rapidly unloaded by picking up, rotating the barge and dumping its contents. The open, loaded hopper barge is positioned above a lowered barge lifting platform and secured to it by latch beams and hydraulic clamps. Compressed air is released into the ballast tanks of the barge lifting platform, forcing the ballast water from the tanks, causing the barge lifting platform with the barge secured on it to rise along guide rails. Hydraulically operated, rotating arms affixed to the support structure upon which the guide assembly is mounted attach to the barge lifting platform and rotate the barge lifting platform with the mounted barge and up and about the guide assembly, including pivot elements located along the sides of said support structure during the pivoting of the barge/platform up approximately one hundred angular degrees.

Abstract: A floating transfer vessel provides exterior mooring for a ship adapted to receive loose granular cargo, and interior dry-docking for a plurality of barges loaded with loose granular material within the transfer vessel. All relative motion between transfer vessel and barges, and between automated digging and conveying apparatus mounted in the transfer vessel and barge confines or cargo spaces are eliminated, to permit substantial reduction of working tolerances therebetween without possibility of damage. The reduced tolerances leaves very little grain to clean up requiring no additional independent equipment.