GEOLEACH™ Process Description
The GEOLEACH™ process uses iron- and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms to facilitate the oxidation and leaching of sulfide minerals in an engineered whole-ore heap environment. The microorganisms include mesophile bacteria (Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Thiobacillus thiooxidans, and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans), and moderate and high temperature thermophilic bacteria such as the Archaea Sulfolobus and Acidianus.
Simplified GEOLEACH™ Flow Diagram for Copper Ores
