H. M. Lizama, R. L. Stephens
Secondary leaching of previously leached supergene copper ore has been developed and implemented at Teck’s Quebrada Blanca operations. The objective of this study was to recover residual metal value from dormant copper leaching heaps using in-situ leaching techniques supported by geophysics. The methodology involved testing a 3,200 m² sector with the introduction of leaching solution through injection wells and monitoring solution movement via electro-resistivity tomography. Operating parameters such as well spacing and injection flow rates were optimized, while evaluating copper recovery and leaching performance through solution and metallurgical balances. The research demonstrated that both ferric and bacterial leaching processes could be enhanced using strategies to introduce air into the heaps. Following positive results, a larger industrial pilot was conducted over a 60,000 m² area with 97 injection wells, achieving a copper recovery rate of 30% in 457 days. This innovative secondary recovery approach is now being applied to all abandoned heaps at Quebrada Blanca, transforming it into a production stream. The technology shows great promise for widespread application in mature copper heap leach operations, and Teck has patented the process and its methodologies.
@article{585f1525-05ee-4735-9359-d6b0d98e4d3b,
title={TECK’S SECONDARY LEACHING TECHNOLOGY},
author={H. M. Lizama and R. L. Stephens},
year={2023},
language={en}
}TY - JOUR TI - TECK’S SECONDARY LEACHING TECHNOLOGY AU - H. M. Lizama AU - R. L. Stephens PY - 2023 LA - en ER -
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