Development and commercial demonstration of the BioCOP™ thermophile process

The paper describes the engineering development of the BioCOP™ Process, from pilot-scale to full-scale commercial demonstration at the Chuquicamata Mine in Chile, with a design production rate of 20 000 t copper per annum.BioCOP™ Process is owned by BHP Billiton. The BioCOP™ Process has been specifically developed for treatment of concentrates not suitable for commercial smelting due to the content of deleterious elements, such as arsenic, which is harmful to the environment. The process utilises thermophilic microorganisms operating at temperatures up to 80 °C to leach copper sulphide mineral concentrates. The copper is subsequently recovered by conventional solvent extraction and electrowinning, producing a high value copper metal product.The paper describes the importance of staged development to ensure correct definition of scale-up criteria for commercial plant design. The design and operation of the Commercial Demonstration Plant is also described a “World First” for bioleaching using thermophilic microorganisms for commercial treatment of primary copper sulphide concentrates.