US4740243A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal value recovery from metal sulfide containing ores
Assignee: Ensci Inc
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Filing: 1986-04-30
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Granted: 1988-04-26
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Expires: 2006-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A process for recovering at least one first metal from a metal sulfide-containing ore comprising contacting the ore with an aqueous, acidic composition and at least one reducible manganese-containing material at conditions effective (1) to chemically reduce the manganese, (2) solubilize at least a portion of the metal from the sulfide, and (3) at least partially liberate the first metal from the ore; and recovering the first metal from the ore. The use of added ferric ion and/or Thiobacillus ferrooxidans bacteria in the above-noted contacting is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Barbara A. Krebs-Yuill
- 👤 Larry B. Tsai
- 👤 Rebekah Wu
- 👤 David A. Milligan
- 👤 Nestor J. Troncoso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:54
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B11/00; C22B11/04; C22B3/00; C22B3/18; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20; Y10; Y10S; Y10S423/00; Y10S423/04; Y10S423/09; Y10S423/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A process for recovering at least one first metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, the platinum group metals and mixtures thereof from an ore containing said first metal and a sulfide of a second metal other than manganese comprising: contacting said ore with an aqueous, acidic composition and at least one manganese-containing material in the presence of ferric ion at conditions effective to (1) chemically reduce manganese, (2) solubilize second metal from said sulfide in said aqueous, acidic composition, and (3) liberate first metal from said ore; and recovering said first metal from said ore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A process for recovering at least one first metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, the platinum group metals and mixtures thereof from an ore containing said first metal and a sulfide of a second metal other than manganese comprising: contacting said ore with an aqueous, acidic composition and at least one manganese-containing material in the presence of ferric ion at conditions effective to (1) chemically reduce manganese, (2) solubilize second metal from said sulfide in said aqueous, acidic composition, and (3) liberate first metal from said ore; and recovering said first metal from said ore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said first metal is gold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said contacting occurs in the presence of added ferric ion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said contacting occurs in the presence of added ferric ion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the pH of said aqueous, acidic composition is in the range of almost 0.5 to about 5.0 and said aqueous acidic composition contains sulfuric acid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the pH of said aqueous, acidic composition is in the range of about 0.5 to about 5.0 and said aqueous, acidic composition contains sulfuric acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the pH of said aqueous, acidic composition is in the range of about 0.5 to about 5.0 and said aqueous, acidic composition contains sulfuric acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said sulfide is iron pyrites.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said contacting occurs in the presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and the pH of the aqueous, acidic composition is about 3.0 and lower.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said material contains silver and manganese; said contacting occurs at conditions effective to liberate silver from said material; and said process further comprises recovering silver from said material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said material contains silver and manganese; said contacting occurs at conditions effective to liberate silver from said material; and said process further comprises recovering silver from said material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said material contains silver and manganese; said contacting occurs at conditions effective to liberate silver from said material; and said process further comprises recovering silver from said material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for recovering at least one first metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, the platinum group metals and mixtures thereof from an ore containing said first metal and a sulfide of a second metal other than manganese comprising: contacting said ore with an aqueous, acidic composition and at least one manganese-containing material in the presence of ferric ion at conditions effective to (1) chemically reduce manganese, (2) solubilize second metal from said second metal sulfide, and (3) liberate first metal from said ore, provided that said contacting occurs in the presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans; and recovering said first metal from said ore.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for recovering at least one first metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, the platinum group metals and mixtures thereof from an ore containing said first metal and a sulfide of a second metal other than manganese comprising: contacting said ore with an aqueous, acidic composition and at least one manganese-containing material in the presence of ferric ion at conditions effective to (1) chemically reduce manganese, (2) solubilize second metal from said second metal sulfide, and (3) liberate first metal from said ore, provided that said contacting occurs in the presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans; and recovering said first metal from said ore.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said first metal is gold, and said contacting occurs in the presence of oxygen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said first metal is gold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said contacting occurs in the presence of added ferric ion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 15 wherein said contacting occurs in the presence of added ferric ion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 13 wherein the pH of said aqueous, acidic composition is in the range of about 1.5 to about 4.5.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 17 wherein the pH of said aqueous, acidic composition is about 3.0 and lower and said aqueous, acidic composition contains sulfuric acid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 17 wherein the pH of said aqueous, acidic composition is about 3.0 and lower and said aqueous, acidic composition contains sulfuric acid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said material contains silver and manganese; said contacting occurs at conditions effective to liberate silver from said material; and said process further comprises recovering silver from said material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said ore and said material are agglomerated and the resulting agglomerates are placed to form a first heap which is contacted with said aqueous acidic composition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said ore and said material are agglomerated and the resulting agglomerates are placed to form a first heap which is contacted with said aqueous acidic composition.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said ore and said material are agglomerated and the resulting agglomerates are placed to form a first heap which is contacted with said aqueous acidic composition.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said ore, said material and said Thiobacillus ferrooxidans are agglomerated and the resulting agglomerates are placed to form a first heap which is contacted with said aqueous acidic composition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 22 wherein said agglomerates after said contacting are reagglomerated and placed on a second heap which is contacted with aqueous cyanide solution to solubilize gold.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 23 wherein said agglomerates after said contacting are reagglomerated and placed on a second heap which is contacted with aqueous cyanide solution to solubilize gold.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 24 wherein said agglomerates after said contacting are reagglomerated and placed on a second heap which is contacted with aqueous cyanide solution to solubilize gold.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 25 wherein said agglomerates after said contacting are reagglomerated and placed on a second heap which is contacted with aqueous cyanide solution to solubilize gold.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said sulfide has a formula of (Me)y Sx wherein x is greater than y and Me is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mo, As, Cu, Co, Ni, Sn, Sb, Bi, Pb, Zn and mixtures thereof.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said sulfide includes at least one sulfur to sulfur bond.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said contacting occurs in the presence of oxygen.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said sulfide includes at least one sulfur to sulfur bond.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said contacting occurs in the presence of oxygen.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said sulfide has a formula of (Me)y Sx wherein x is greater than Y and Me is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mo, As, Cu, Co, Ni, Sn, Sb, Bi, Pb, Zn and mixtures thereof.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said sulfide has a formula of (Me)y Sx wherein x is greater than y and Me is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mo, As, Cu, Co, Ni, Sn, Sb, Bi, Pb, Zn and mixtures thereof.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said sulfide includes at least one sulfur to sulfur bond.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said sulfide includes at least one sulfur to sulfur bond.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said contacting occurs in the presence of oxygen.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said contacting occurs in the presence of oxygen.
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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) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-10-26 | 1992-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-26 | 1995-10-26 | 1996-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-26 | 1999-10-26 | 2000-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |