US4343773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Enhanced leaching of minerals which form product layers
Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation Inc
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Filing: 1981-01-29
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Granted: 1982-08-10
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Expires: 2001-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A novel process for enhancing the leaching rate of a mineral wherein the mineral is characterized by the tendency to form a reaction product layer during leaching. A suitable particulate modifier such as carbon is mixed with the mineral prior to leaching and selectively alters the characteristics of the reaction product layer. The process is particularly useful for leaching chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan D. Miller
- 👤 George Simkovich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:56
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B3/00; C22B3/04; C22B3/06; C22B3/08; C22B3/12; C22B3/14; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A process for enhancing dissolution of metal values from minerals comprising: obtaining a mineral, the mineral being characterized by the tendency for a reaction product layer to form about particles of mineral during leaching; selecting a particulate modifier for suitably altering electronic conductivity characteristics of the reaction product layer; altering the electronic conductivity characteristics of the reaction product layer by intimately mixing the particulate modifier with the mineral thereby forming particle aggregates; leaching the particle aggregates, the leaching process solubilizing metal values in the mineral while forming a reaction product layer about particles of the mineral ore; and enhancing dissolution of metal values in the mineral surrounded by the reaction product layer by increasing electron transport processes across the reaction product layer with the particulate modifier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A process for enhancing dissolution of metal values from minerals comprising: obtaining a mineral, the mineral being characterized by the tendency for a reaction product layer to form about particles of mineral during leaching; selecting a particulate modifier for suitably altering electronic conductivity characteristics of the reaction product layer; altering the electronic conductivity characteristics of the reaction product layer by intimately mixing the particulate modifier with the mineral thereby forming particle aggregates; leaching the particle aggregates, the leaching process solubilizing metal values in the mineral while forming a reaction product layer about particles of the mineral ore; and enhancing dissolution of metal values in the mineral surrounded by the reaction product layer by increasing electron transport processes across the reaction product layer with the particulate modifier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the obtaining step comprises providing a sulfide mineral selected from a sulfide-bearing ore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process defined in claim 2 wherein the providing step comprises selecting the sulfide-bearing ore from the group consisting of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the selecting step comprises obtaining a finely divided graphite as the particulate modifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the leaching step comprises subjecting the leach mixture to an acid ferric sulfate leach and thereby producing sulfur as the reaction product layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the leaching step comprises subjecting the leach mixture to ammonia oxidation leaching and precipitating ferric oxide as the reaction product layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
A process for dissolution of metal values from a mineral comprising: obtaining a mineral having metal values, the mineral being characterized by the formation of a reaction product layer about particles of the mineral during leaching; selecting a particulate modifier for suitably altering electronic conductivity characteristics of the reaction product layer; mixing the particulate modifier with the mineral to form particulate aggregates; and leaching metal values from the mineral in the particle aggregates while forming a reaction product layer on particles of mineral, the particulate modifier increasing dissolution of metal values from electron mineral by increasing the transport processes across the reaction product layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
A process for dissolution of metal values from a mineral comprising: obtaining a mineral having metal values, the mineral being characterized by the formation of a reaction product layer about particles of the mineral during leaching; selecting a particulate modifier for suitably altering electronic conductivity characteristics of the reaction product layer; mixing the particulate modifier with the mineral to form particulate aggregates; and leaching metal values from the mineral in the particle aggregates while forming a reaction product layer on particles of mineral, the particulate modifier increasing dissolution of metal values from electron mineral by increasing the transport processes across the reaction product layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process defined in claim 7 wherein the obtaining step comprises providing a mineral selected from a sulfide-bearing ore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process defined in claim 8 wherein the providing step comprises selecting the sulfide-bearing ore from the group consisting of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process defined in claim 7 wherein the selecting step comprises obtaining a finely divided graphite as the particulate modifier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process defined in claim 7 wherein the leaching step comprises subjecting the leach mixture to an acid ferric sulfate leach and thereby producing sulfur as the reaction product layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process defined in claim 7 wherein the leaching step comprises subjecting the leach mixture to ammonia oxidation leaching and precipitating ferric oxide as the reaction product layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
A leaching process comprising: obtaining a sulfide-bearing mineral, the mineral being characterized by the tendency to form a reaction product layer during dissolution of metal values from the mineral; intimately mixing graphite particles with the mineral to form a particulate leach mixture, the graphite particles altering the characteristics of the reaction product layer; and dissolving metal values from the mineral with a leach solution, the graphite enhancing transport processes across the reaction product layer thereby increasing dissolution of metal values from the mineral.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
83 words
A leaching process comprising: obtaining a sulfide-bearing mineral, the mineral being characterized by the tendency to form a reaction product layer during dissolution of metal values from the mineral; intimately mixing graphite particles with the mineral to form a particulate leach mixture, the graphite particles altering the characteristics of the reaction product layer; and dissolving metal values from the mineral with a leach solution, the graphite enhancing transport processes across the reaction product layer thereby increasing dissolution of metal values from the mineral.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process defined in claim 13 wherein the obtaining step comprises selecting the sulfide-bearing mineral from the group consisting of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process defined in claim 13 wherein the dissolving step comprises subjecting the particulate leach mixture to an acid ferric sulfate leach and thereby producing sulfur as the reaction product layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process defined in claim 13 wherein the dissolving step comprises subjecting the particulate leach mixture to ammonia oxidation leaching and parcipitating ferric oxide as the reaction product layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-08-09 | 1986-02-08 | 1986-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-09 | 1990-02-08 | 1990-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-09 | 1994-02-08 | 1994-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |