Aim
To investigate innovative means of extracting metals from low grade deposits and tailings using novel bioengineering methods
In-situ leaching (ISL) has the potential to address many of the cost and environmental challenges of small, isolated, near surface deposits with difficult metallurgy and high stripping ratios. In-situ leach of copper from oxidised copper deposits is not a new idea - copper leaching is proven technology and in-situ leach has been trialled before with mixed results. Many of the problems associated with ISL relate to the corrosive chemistry of the fluids required to accomplish leaching, and there is potential to circumvent this challenge with innovative bioengineering.
