US3260593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for leaching copper from lowgrade, copper-bearing ore materials
Assignee: Kennecott Corp
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Filing: 1962-09-12
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Granted: 1966-07-12
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Expires: 1982-09-12
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart R Zimmerley
- 👤 Emil E Malouf
- 👤 John D Prater
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:24
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B15/00; C22B15/0063; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20; Y10; Y10S; Y10S423/00; Y10S423/09; Y10S423/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A PROCESS FOR LEACHING COPPER FROM DUMPS OF MINE WASTE AND FROM OTHER BEDS OF BROKEN COPPER-SULFIDE-BEARING ORE MATERIALS WHICH PROVIDE NATURAL DRAINAGE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM THEREOF, COMPRISING FLOWING A LEACH SOLUTION OF FERRIC SULFATE AND A MINERAL ACID THROUGH SUCH A BED FROM TOP TO BOTTON THEREOF SUCH THAT COPPER VALUES ARE DISSOLVED AND THE PH OF THE SOLUTION BECOMES ABOUT 2.5; CONTACTING METALLIC IRON WITH THE RESULTING COPPER-BEARING LEACH SOLUTION TO STRIP COPPER THEREFROM BY REPLACING IRON WITH COPPER; ADJUSTING THE PH OF THE STRIPPED LEACH SOLUTION TO BETWEEN ABOUT 1.9 AND ABOUT 2.8 BY THE ADDITION OF A MINERAL ACID THERETO; RECYCLING THE ADJUSTED LEACH SOLUTION AT SAID PH THROUGH SAID BED TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN, AT LEAST IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE BED, OPTIMUM CONDITIONS FOR CONTINUOUS BACTERIAL REGENERATION; AND FORCING OXYGEN INTO THE UPPER PORTION OF THE BED.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A PROCESS FOR LEACHING COPPER FROM DUMPS OF MINE WASTE AND FROM OTHER BEDS OF BROKEN COPPER-SULFIDE-BEARING ORE MATERIALS WHICH PROVIDE NATURAL DRAINAGE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM THEREOF, COMPRISING FLOWING A LEACH SOLUTION OF FERRIC SULFATE AND A MINERAL ACID THROUGH SUCH A BED FROM TOP TO BOTTON THEREOF SUCH THAT COPPER VALUES ARE DISSOLVED AND THE PH OF THE SOLUTION BECOMES ABOUT 2.5; CONTACTING METALLIC IRON WITH THE RESULTING COPPER-BEARING LEACH SOLUTION TO STRIP COPPER THEREFROM BY REPLACING IRON WITH COPPER; ADJUSTING THE PH OF THE STRIPPED LEACH SOLUTION TO BETWEEN ABOUT 1.9 AND ABOUT 2.8 BY THE ADDITION OF A MINERAL ACID THERETO; RECYCLING THE ADJUSTED LEACH SOLUTION AT SAID PH THROUGH SAID BED TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN, AT LEAST IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE BED, OPTIMUM CONDITIONS FOR CONTINUOUS BACTERIAL REGENERATION; AND FORCING OXYGEN INTO THE UPPER PORTION OF THE BED.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1969-07-11 | 1970-01-10 | 1970-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-07-11 | 1974-01-10 | 1974-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-07-11 | 1978-01-10 | 1978-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |