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.
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