Use of hydrogen peroxide for heap leaching of secondary copper sulfides

Copper is typically extracted from secondary sulfide minerals using heap leaching, a relatively low-cost hydrometallurgical technique. In this process, leaching solutions are irrigated on top of a packed ore bed and percolate through the porous materials. Fe(III) is required as an oxidant in the extraction process and must be continuously regenerated to sustain the reaction. Fe(III) can be regenerated inside the heap via bacterial-assisted oxidation of ferrous by oxygen or outside the heap using various oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide. This research aims to investigate the effectiveness of using hydrogen peroxide to oxidize ferrous for heap leaching of copper secondary sulfides. To achieve this goal, laboratory column leaching tests will be carried out with secondary copper sulfides, followed by kinetic modelling. The findings will help heap leach operations to manage oxidant regeneration with the use of hydrogen peroxide when the application of the traditional heap bioleaching is infeasible.

Faculty Supervisor:

Wenying Liu;David Dreisinger

Student:

Partner:

Cytec Canada Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: