A Process for leaching sulphidie copper-containing ores

Abstract

A process for leaching an ore containing sulphidic copper- containing minerals is disclosed. The process includes carrying out an aerated oxidising leach of a part of the ore and causing reactions with a source of iron such as pyrite in the ore and producing an acidic leach liquor containing ferrous ions, ferric ions, and copper ions in solution. The process also includes carrying out a leach of another part of the ore using the leach liquor produced in step (a) under conditions that minimise reactions with a source of iron such as pyrite in the ore and producing a leach liquor containing copper ions in solution.