Freeport-mcmoran Corporation

Freeport Mcmoran Resource Partners, Ltd. Partnership

Jesus W Perez

Tadeusz K Wiewiorowski

Vivian C Astley

Thomas H McCord

Gregory R O'Neil

James T Womack

Melvin J Barrois

Thomas A Headington

A process for recovering elemental sulfur from volcanic and non-volcanic ores is disclosed. Ore is processed by crushing the ore to a coarse particle size autoclaving to separate the sulfur from the ore, mild grinding to selectively reduce the size of the liberated sulfur particles, flotation and sulfur separation/filtration steps to produce a sulfur of at least 99% purity. The process recovers at least 90% of the elemental sulfur contained in the ore. The particular crushing of the ore and selective grinding techniques for reducing sulfur particles for reducing sulfur particles size are important factors in the efficiency of the process since the grinding techniques inhibit the formation of fine gangue which is difficult to separate from the liberated sulfur.

Recovery of sulfur from native ores

An agglomerative heap leaching method for recovering gold, silver or other metals from low grade refractory ores. Hypochlorite compounds are incorporated directly into the ore agglomerates as they are formed. This provides ample time and opportunity for the hypochlorite to destroy, modify or passivate refractory components of the ore thereby improving metal recovery in the subsequent cyanide leaching step.

Pretreatment/agglomeration as a vehicle for refractory ore treatment

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New Orleans, LA, United States of America

Jesus W Perez