Thermophilic Heap Leaching of a Chalcopyrite Concentrate

Abstract

Thermophiles have been shown to be the only micro-organisms to leach chalcopyrite successfully. Heap leaching may be a feasible alternative to conventional bio-reactors, providing a high temperature environment can be maintained within the heap without external heating. In the present study thermophilic heap leaching of a chalcopyrite concentrate coated onto inert support rocks (the GEOCOAT™ process) was studied in sets of small heated columns. The temperature was gradually increased to 70 °C, while successively introducing various mesophile and thermophile cultures. Individual columns were dismantled after progressively longer leach periods and the residual concentrates analysed. Copper extractions in excess of 90% were achieved within 100 days. On the basis of head and residue analyses the rate of reaction heat generated was calculated. A comprehensive heap heat conservation model was used to determine whether the experimental temperatures can be achieved and maintained in a full scale heap. Results indicate that operating hot heaps successfully is possible within a certain range of process parameters.