Recovery of nickel from bioleach solution

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 5626648
SERIAL NO

08503130

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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A bioleaching method is provided for recovering nickel from an ore selected from the group consisting nickel-containing lateritic ores and nickel-containing sulfidic ores or concentrates thereof. Where the ore selected is a nickel-containing lateritic ore, at least one micro-organism selective to the leaching of the lateritic ore is provided as an aqueous solution thereof maintained at a pH ranging from about 1 to 3 including a nutrient for the micro-organism. The ore may be in the form of a heap, or a charge in a vat, or as a slurry. Where the ore selected is a nickel-containing sulfidic ore or concentrate thereof, at least one micro-organism comprising a biooxidizing bacterium selective to the leaching of sulfidic ore is added as an aqueous solution to the sulfidic ore or concentrate maintained at a pH of about 1 to 3, including a nutrient for the bacterium. The ore either as a slurry, a heap, or a charge in a vat is bioleached for a time sufficient to effect the dissolution of the nickel in the ore and form a solution thereof and a residue which is separated from the solution. The nickel is then selectively extracted from the solution using an ion exchange resin, and the nickel thereafter extracted from the resin using a mineral acid.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
BHP MINERALS INTERNATIONAL INC1190 BORDEAUX DRIVE SUNNYVALE CA 94086

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Duyvesteyn, Willem P C Reno, NV 62 1088
Omofoma, Matt Reno, NV 1 6

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