US 12,378,634 B2
Systems and methods for improved raffinate injection
Sarah Lyons, Vail, AZ (US); Joanna M. Robertson, Thatcher, AZ (US); Casey J. Clayton, Ariquipa (PE); Richard Melecio Sanchez, Central, AZ (US); Raquel Crossman, Mesa, AZ (US); Luciano Kiniti Issoe, Sao Palo (BR); Tianfang Ni, Boston, MA (US); Oleksandr Klesov, Lexington, MA (US); Luke Gerdes, Framingham, MA (US); Muneeb Alam, Alexandria, VA (US); Chase Zenner, Tucson, AZ (US); and John Warren Dean, Jr., Thatcher, AZ (US)
Assigned to FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Filed by FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Filed on Oct. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/480,377.
Application 18/480,377 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/945,451, filed on Sep. 15, 2022, granted, now 12,018,349.
Application 18/480,377 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/124,333, filed on Mar. 21, 2023.
Application 17/945,451 is a continuation of application No. 17/733,171, filed on Apr. 29, 2022, granted, now 11,639,539, issued on May 2, 2023.
Application 17/733,171 is a continuation of application No. 17/223,404, filed on Apr. 6, 2021, granted, now 11,332,808, issued on May 17, 2022.
Application 17/223,404 is a continuation of application No. 16/223,760, filed on Dec. 18, 2018, granted, now 10,975,455, issued on Apr. 13, 2021.
Application 16/223,760 is a continuation of application No. 15/989,614, filed on May 25, 2018, granted, now 10,190,190, issued on Jan. 29, 2019.
Application 15/989,614 is a continuation of application No. 15/539,328, granted, now 9,982,321, issued on May 29, 2018, previously published as PCT/US2015/050015, filed on Sep. 14, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/246,046, filed on Sep. 20, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/097,458, filed on Dec. 29, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2024/0026493 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. C22B 7/00 (2006.01); C22B 3/02 (2006.01); C22B 3/04 (2006.01); C22B 3/22 (2006.01); C22B 3/44 (2006.01); C22B 15/00 (2006.01); E21B 43/28 (2006.01); G01F 1/36 (2006.01); G01F 1/42 (2006.01); G01F 15/00 (2006.01); G01F 15/06 (2022.01); G05D 16/10 (2006.01); G05D 16/20 (2006.01); G08B 21/18 (2006.01); G01F 1/34 (2006.01); G01F 1/74 (2006.01)
CPC C22B 7/007 (2013.01) [C22B 3/04 (2013.01); C22B 15/0065 (2013.01); G01F 1/363 (2013.01); G01F 1/42 (2013.01); G01F 15/003 (2013.01); G01F 15/005 (2013.01); G01F 15/066 (2013.01); G05D 16/20 (2013.01); G08B 21/182 (2013.01); C22B 3/02 (2013.01); C22B 3/22 (2013.01); C22B 3/44 (2013.01); E21B 43/28 (2013.01); G01F 1/34 (2013.01); G01F 1/74 (2013.01); G01F 15/006 (2013.01); G05D 16/101 (2019.01); G05D 16/2024 (2019.01); Y02P 10/20 (2015.11); Y10T 137/86574 (2015.04)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for recovering a metal from chalcopyrite, comprising:
delivering a leaching solution from a leaching solution source to a leaching solution regulating system, wherein the leaching solution comprises a combination of an effective amount of citric acid and hydrogen peroxide, wherein the citric acid keeps iron in the leaching solution and allows the hydrogen peroxide to interact with the chalcopyrite;
regulating a pressure, a mass flow rate and a volumetric flow rate of the leaching solution to achieve a target operational condition, wherein the target operational condition is selected to optimize a set of operational parameters to allow options of preventing plugging of a subsurface leaching distribution system, minimizing locking up of the leaching solution in the heap and maximizing recovery of the recoverable metal in the chalcopyrite;
delivering the leaching solution at the target operational condition from the leaching solution regulating system to the subsurface leaching distribution system; and
delivering the leaching solution at the target operational condition from the subsurface leaching distribution system to a location of the recoverable metal in the chalcopyrite under a surface of the heap to leach and recover the recoverable metal from the chalcopyrite.