LEACHING TECHNIQUE :

PERCOLATION / VAT
LEACHING

Presented By :
Killang Pratama
125 09 002
 Why should we use percolation than
agitation leaching ?
Unit operation cost are less than for agitation :

1. Ore grinding is not required (only crushing)

Use low grade ore that leaches readily at a coarse size

2. No agitation and filtration process

Dissolved by passing solution to ore (no agitation)
Vat/tank installed with filter-type bottom (no filtration)

3. Solution volume are greater for agitation than for

percolation
 Leaching Technique
Agitation Leaching Percolation Leaching
o Small high-grade ore o huge tonnage of low-grade
ore (up to 12000 tonnes)
o Fast moving leach reactions
o long time of leaching time
o Fine ore particle size process (6 - 12 day)

o Clay content is not become o Coarse ore particle size

problem
o Clay content is become
o Need agitation and filtration problem
Ore characteristic for Percolation leaching

• Coarse size (estimated Example :

minus ¼ in) Au, Cu, U
• Low grade ore
• Porous
• Relatively uniform
• Low clay content
 Percolation Leaching Process
Vat / Tank ( up to
10000 m3 and the
depth up to 6 m)

Leaching Solvent
(H2SO4, FeSO4)
Solution Intake
Charge of crushed ore (oxide
mineral from roasting of sulfide
mineral + sand as medium)

Porous Bottom Pregnant

(filter) solution
(outflow)
Other Vat Model
Dissolution Mechanisme on the Ore
Particles
Coarse Particles

Film Diffusion

Porous + Clay

Solution rich of
dissolve metal
(outflow)
 Leaching Plant of Andes Coper Co.
Water
Strong Solution off waste
Spent leach Water
electrolyte Acid Solution

No 3 No 5
No 1 No 2 No 4 No 6 No 7 No 8 No 9
Fourth second
Sixth day Fifth day Third day First day
day day
leaching leaching leaching leaching Charging Unloading Washing
leaching leaching

Ore from crushing plant

Tailing to impounding dam

Pregnant solution
Factors Influences in Percolation Leaching

• Particle size increase, contact time increase too

• Solution strenght
1. Leaching for 5 days with 1% acid give same extraction
as leaching for 10 day with 0,5% acid

2. Weaker solution dissolve fewer impurities

Factors Influences in Percolation Leaching
Factors Influences in Percolation Leaching