Method of leaching copper sulfide ores containing chalcopyrite

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of recovering copper from primary copper sulfide ores containing chalcopyrite as a main constituent under versatile conditions for real operation in all efficient and cost-effective manner. A method of leaching copper sulfide ores, wherein the growth of microorganisms present on ore surfaces and in a leaching solution is inhibited and the pH of the leaching solution is adjusted to 1.5 or less upon leaching of copper from copper sulfide ores containing chalcopyrite, is provided.

1 . A method of leaching copper sulfide ores, wherein the growth of microorganisms present on ore surfaces and in a leaching solution is inhibited and the pH of the leaching solution is adjusted to 1.5 or less upon leaching of copper from copper sulfide ores containing chalcopyrite. 
     
     
         2 . The method of leaching copper sulfide ores according to  claim 1 , wherein the growth of microorganisms is inhibited by heating ores to 100° C. or more prior to leaching. 
     
     
         3 . The method of leaching copper sulfide ores according to  claim 1 , wherein the growth of microorganisms is inhibited by treating ores with an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms prior to leaching. 
     
     
         4 . The method of leaching copper sulfide ores according to  claim 1 , wherein the growth of microorganisms is inhibited by adding an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms to a leaching solution. 
     
     
         5 . The method of teaching copper sulfide ores according to any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the microorganisms are chemoautotrophic bacteria.