GEOLEACH™
GEOLEACH™ is a proprietary whole-ore heap bioleaching technology used to recover copper and other base metals from primary and secondary sulfide ores. Operation of a GEOLEACH™ heap is very similar to conventional whole ore acid heap leaching systems, but with the addition of a system to maintain biological activity and maximize heat conservation. GEOLEACH™ optimizes the sulfide leaching kinetics by maximizing and maintaining high temperatures within the heap.
GEOLEACH™ utilizes the latest in industry knowledge associated with acid leaching and bioleaching, and incorporates GeoBiotics' proprietary HotHeap™ technology. HotHeap™ is a process controls management system that allows aeration and irrigation rates to be varied to maintain elevated temperatures within the heap, which results in faster leaching rates and higher metal recoveries.
The GEOLEACH™ process is suitable for secondary, mixed, and primary copper and other base metal sulfide ores.
The competitive advantages of GEOLEACH™ include:
- Achieve increased metal recoveries without increasing operating cost
- Economically treat low-grade ores allowing reduction in cut-off grade and an increase in ore reserves
- Reduce power consumption compared to other oxidation methods
- Reduce leach cycle time and inventory
- Reduce acid consumption
- Reduce water demand and consumption
- Retrofit existing heap leaching operations with minimal capital investment
- Cost-effectively treat low-grade chalcopyrite and other sulfide ores