HEAP ORE BIOOXIDATION PROCESS Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: mining industry. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to heap biooxidation of hard-enrichable sulfide ore particles being at least partly biologically oxidized using recycle solution coming out of biological leaching stage. Process includes following stages: biooxidation of sulfide ore heap using bioleaching solution; collection of solution flowing out of the heap during bioleaching process and containing a multitude of inhibiting materials dissolved therein wherein concentration of each inhibiting material is below its own inhibitory concentration and summary concentration of at least two inhibiting materials is high enough to inhibit the rate of biooxidation of hard-enrichable sulfide ore particles; conditioning of collected bioleaching solution to diminish inhibitory effect of solution caused by summary concentration of at least two inhibiting materials; return of conditioning solution into the heap for recycle; and biooxidation of the heap ore particles using recycling bioleaching solution. EFFECT: accelerated process and simplified construction of special grounds for placing heaps. 46 cl, 13 dwg, 9 tbl, 10 ex