METHOD OF COMPACT METALS LEACHING OUT FROM ROCK DUMPS OF MINING-ORE PLANTS Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: biohydrometallurgy of nonferrous metals. SUBSTANCE: method of compact leaching out metals from dumps of rocks involves: spraying rock dump with reusable solutions, oxidation of metal sulfides in the dump body with air oxygen catalyzed by microorganisms Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, dissolving copper, zinc and iron sulfates obtained, collection of the productive liquor flowing out from under the dump, its treatment with sodium sulfide to pH = 4.0-4.5 and conversion of copper and zinc to a sediment of copper-zinc concentrate followed by separation of pulp forming an aqueous moiety and its feeding to return for spraying. Pulp of copper-zinc concentrate is fed to the filtering concrete tank fitted on the dump body. Method provides decrease of operations number and simplification of the separation process of an aqueous moiety pulp of copper-zinc concentrate. EFFECT: improved method of leaching out, simplified technology. 2 cl, 2 ex