WO2014100910A1 - Use of oxygenated or polyoxygenated inorganic weak acids, or derivatives, residues and waste thereof, in order to increase the recovery of copper and/or the concentration of copper in processes for the leaching or bioleaching of copper minerals - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of oxygenated or polyoxygenated weak acids, or minerals or compounds that generate same, or solid or liquid waste from plants that produce oxygenated or polyoxygenated weak acids and derivatives thereof, in order to increase the recovery of copper from mineral and/or to increase the concentration of copper in the solution (PLS) in processes for the leaching or bioleaching of copper. The invention also relates to a copper leaching method comprising adding a necessary quantity of an oxygenated or polyoxygenated weak acid, or a compound or a mineral that generates same, to the leaching process, and, in parallel, adding sulphuric acid to the leaching heap, in which the necessary quantity of oxygenated or polyoxygenated weak acid depends on the characteristics of the mineral. The invention further relates to a copper bioleaching method comprising adding a necessary quantity of an oxygenated or polyoxygenated weak acid, or a compound or a mineral that generates same, to the bioleaching process, and, in parallel, adding sulphuric acid to the bioleaching heap or dump, in which the necessary quantity of acid added depends on the characteristics of the mineral to be bioleached.

Description

USE OF INORGANIC, OXYGENATED OR POLYOXYGENATED WEAK ACIDS, THEIR DERIVATIVES, WASTE AND SOLID WASTE TO INCREASE COPPER RECOVERY AND / OR COPPER CONCENTRATION IN THE PROCESS OF LIXIVIATION OR BIOLIXIVIATION OF MINERALS OF MINERALS.

The present invention relates to the use of weak inorganic, oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids, in any degree of concentration, their derivatives, residues and solid wastes in the leaching or bioleaching of copper ores, by sulfuric acid or its derivatives.

In particular, it refers to the use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids, such as boric acid, its derivatives, minerals containing boron, borax, its derivatives, solid and liquid wastes and wastes, of boric acid and borax producing plants, and phosphoric acid , its minerals, its derivatives, wastes and solid wastes, in the leaching or bioleaching of copper ores, by means of sulfuric acid or its derivatives.

The present invention also relates to a leaching and bioleaching process in which a weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acid, such as boric acid or phosphoric acid, is incorporated as part of the process.

The traditional copper ore leaching process is a hydrometallurgical process, which consists of recovering copper from its minerals, which are separated through the application of a solution of sulfuric acid and water. The threads that are performed in leaching are:

First stage: Battery leaching

• Crushing: The extracted material containing copper minerals is fragmented by primary and secondary crushing, whose objective is to release the mineral from the impurities that accompany it. This crush is enough to expose copper ores a. infiltration of the acid solution.

Formation, of the pile: the crushed material is carried by means of conveyor belts to the place where the formation of the pile will take place. In this path the material is subjected to a first irrigation with a solution of water and sulfuric acid, known as the curing process, so as to begin the process of sulphation of the copper contained in the minerals early, at the same time as the material agglomerates fine coming from crushing. In this process, cement can be added simultaneously as a binder. The mineral is deposited neatly forming a continuous embankment of variable height (leaching pile). A drip irrigation system and / or sprinklers that cover the entire exposed area are installed on this battery. Under the piles of material to be leached, an impermeable membrane is previously installed on which there is a drainage system (grooved pipes) that allow to collect the solutions that infiltrate through the material.

• Irrigation system: Through the drip irrigation system and / or sprinklers, an acidic water solution is slowly poured, with sulfuric acid on the surface of the batteries, which infiltrates the battery to its base. The leaching solution partially dissolves the copper contained in its minerals, forming a solution of copper sulfate, which is collected by the drainage system and taken out of the battery sector in waterproofed gutters. From this process, copper sulphate solutions with varying concentrations will be obtained, whose typical values are around 2 to 20 grams per liter (gpl) called PLS, which will be taken to various tanks where a purification of these, eliminating the solid particles that could contain.

 It is important to indicate that, in this leaching stack, there are variable amounts of non-leached copper, which will depend on the quality of the mineral.

• Second stage: Solvent extraction.

At this stage the solution that comes from the leaching piles, waste or impurities are removed. With an ionic extraction, the copper concentration is increased in a range of approximately 5 times. To extract copper from the PLS solution, it is mixed with a solution of paraffin and organic resin. The resin traps copper ions (Cu ⁺² ) selectively, obtaining on the one hand a resin-copper complex and on the other a copper depleted solution called refining, which is reused in it. leaching process and is recovered in the solutions obtained from the process. The resin-copper complex is treated independently with an acid-rich electrolyte solution, which causes the discharge of copper from the resin into the electrolyte. This is the solution that is taken to the electro-procurement plant.

The process described above (hydrotnetalurgy) can be used for both oxidized minerals and sulfurized minerals. However, there is a drawback for sulfurized minerals since the dissolution kinetics is much slower than that of oxidized minerals. Therefore, only an acid solution is not enough. to achieve its dissolution, no matter how strong it may be, it also requires a reaction catalyst, a role that certain bacteria can assume, a process called bioleaching.

• Bioleaching process: In the bioleaching process, microorganisms are used to dissolve the minerals, releasing a valuable metal present in a mineral or in a concentrate, which with conventional methods would be very difficult to extract. Bioleaching is the conventional leaching process, biologically catalyzed but applied to sulphured minerals, in view of the need to increase the kinetics of its dissolution. In this way, the. Bioleaching is a chemical process, mediated by water and atmospheric oxygen and a biological process, mediated by microorganisms.

The role that environmental, biological and physicochemical factors play in the growth and development of bacteria is fundamental in the performance of metal extraction by bioleaching. The control of these factors is very important to ensure the optimal conditions of pH, humidity, temperature, nutrients, energy sources that must exist together with the absence of inhibitors, which allow to obtain the maximum copper yield.

The factors that influence the response of microorganisms responsible for bioleaching according to Pradhan et al. [Pradhan, N., Nathsarma, K.C., Srinivasarao, K., Sukla, L.B., Mish a, B.K. (2008). "Heap Bioleaching of chalcopyrite: a review". Minerals Engineerring 21: 355-365, 2008.] and the ITGE (Geominero Technological Institute of Spain (1991) are: pH: They are acidophilic bacteria, that is, they grow in acidic media, being unable to develop at a pH greater than 3.0. pH defines what species of bacteria will develop in the environment

• Oxygen and carbon dioxide: Since most of the leaching bacteria in nature are aerobic, they need a environment with oxygen to survive. It provides the oxygen (0 ₂ ) and carbon dioxide (C0 ₂ ) necessary for leaching, so it is important to ensure independent aeration of the technology used.

Oxygen is used as an oxidant by microorganisms in leaching environments. Carbon dioxide is used as a carbon source for the manufacture of its cellular architecture or biomass generation.

• Nutrients: The bacteria used in bioloxiviation require nutritional sources for optimal development, which can be obtained from the same mineral, such as ammonium, phosphate, sulfur, metal ions (such as Mg), etc. Magnesium is required for fixing C0 ₂ and phosphorus is required for energy metabolism.

• Energy Source: microorganisms use ferrous ion and inorganic sulfur as the primary source of energy. In ore leaching the ferrous ion (Fe +2) is biologically produced, so it is not necessary to add it.

• Light: visible and unfiltered light have an inhibitory effect on some bacterial species, but iron offers some protection from visible rays.

• Temperature: Microorganisms are classified according to the temperature range in which they can survive. Thus, the mesophylls survive in an optimal range of 30 ~ 40 ° C, the moderately thermophilic at a temperature close to 50 ° C, and the extremely thermophilic above 65 ° C. If the temperature of the medium in which the microorganisms are found is less than 5 ° C, they become inactive again fulfilling their function if the temperature increases, but if the temperature of the. medium exceeds, the optimal, microorganisms die. It is important to consider that the oxidation reaction of the sulphide minerals is exothermic, that is to say, it releases heat to the environment which causes the temperature to rise. The possibility of controlling the temperature will depend on the design of the busy bioleaching technology, for example it would be more difficult to control in a battery than a stirred tank

• Presence of Inhibitors: during the bioleaching process, heavy metals such as zinc, arsenic and iron accumulate in the leaching solution, and in certain concentrations they are toxic to microorganisms. These toxic concentrations can be decreased by diluting the leaching solution.

• Redox potential (Eh): The oxidation of the reduced species depends on the movement or transfer of electrons, therefore influences the metabolism of the bacteria. In this way, the measurement of potential is an indicator of microbial activity, the higher the potential measured, the greater the microbial activity. The optimum potential is 600 to 800 mV (milliVolt).

• Particle size: the smaller the size of the mineral particle, the greater the area of contact that the microorganism has, making leaching more effective.

All these factors may vary depending on the type of microorganism.

In the state of the art, there are some initiatives regarding improving the concentration of copper from the leaching process, some of which are presented below.

In WO2010 / 149841 Al (equivalent to AU2010264622), ^w Method for leaching chalcopyrite concentrate, a method is described for leaching concentrated chalcopyrite by adding an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid and an oxygen flow under atmospheric pressure conditions and temperatures between 75 ° C and the boiling point of the solution. However, this document does not refer to the use of other acids, particularly weak acids in the leaching process,

In RU2226559 (C2) (whose priority is RU20010127611 20011010), it describes a method for processing copper from waste thereof by adding a solution containing 15-25% sulfuric acid and 30-45% acid nitric. The resulting solution is allowed to stand until the release of gases yields, the copper is precipitated and separated by electrochemical extraction of copper. Treatment with the acid mixture improves the performance of the copper recovered from the electrochemical cell.

However, so far, a weak acid such as boric acid has not been used to improve the yield of the copper recovered from a leaching stack.

In the literature there are other varied uses of boron, boric acid, borax, or its derivatives for other industries, such as the aluminum industry (US 5,332,421, US 6,475,276 Bl)

On the other hand, a process for producing a leaching solution composed of water, monoethanolamine and a monoethanolamide salt has been described in EP160463B1. Where salt is produced by the addition of an acid such as carbonic, phosphoric, sulfuric, boric, nitric, hydrofluoric, hydrochloric, oxalic, malon, co, gallic, citric, ascorbic, formic, acetic, propionic acid or mixtures thereof. However, in the process the acid is only added for the purpose of forming a salt and is not added directly or as a mineral to form the leaching solution. Additionally, in the process, the main solvent is acidic to carbonic acid, which in the The process is formed by injection of carbon dioxide and air, establishing that in this way the process is easier to control and monitor.

Borate type compounds are used in the non-metallic mining industry. One of the main minerals composed of boron is ulexite (NaC'aB ₅ 0 ₉ · 8H ₂ 0); This natural type borate is used in non-metallic mining for the production or production of boric acid, borax and other derivatives.

At the manufacturing industrial level, the use of ulexite in agriculture and afforestation as a matter of fertilizers has been described.

Other boron derivatives, such as borax and boric acid have been used as fertilizers and preservatives in the food industry.

Additionally, borax, which is a soluble borate, is used in mining with ammonia as a mixture of cast iron and steel, due to its ability to reduce the melting point of the mixture and thus eliminate the contaminant iron oxide from the system . The use of borax in gold and silver jewelry foundry has also been described.

For its part, boric acid as such is used for the manufacture of glass fibers, fire retardants, borosilicate glasses, soaps, detergents and certain pharmaceutical products. As for boric acid, it is used as an antiseptic, antibacterial, in the formulation of insecticides, as a compound of buffer solutions, and as a food preservative. On an industrial level, boric acid is recognized as a raw material in the manufacture of the monofiber.s that constitute textile fiberglass, which is used in the structural base of plastics and circuits electric Additionally, the use of boric acid as dynamite manufacturing material and weapons of mass destruction has been described.

As for another weak acid, particularly relevant in the present invention, such as orthophosphoric acid and its derivatives, the use of polyphosphates in liquid fertilizers concentrated by their high solubility has been specified, and they are also used in mining and industry as chelating agents. of metals. Additionally, the use of sodium and calcium polyphosphates has been described in the food industry and in the preparation of detergents. Other phosphates, in the form of ammonium salts, are widely used as raw material in the manufacture of fertilizers. In the mining and goldsmith industry, phosphate compounds, such as manganese phosphate, are used to prevent metal corrosion and improve lubrication. Similarly, zinc phosphate is used to prevent oxidation of metals. Finally, phosphoric acid as such is used as an ingredient in soft drinks, as a water softener, in the production of fertilizers and detergents, and in the mining industry as an anticorrosive, anti-reducing substance and as an agent to prevent the evaporation of gases.

Description of the Invention:

The use of weak oxygenated and polyoxygenated acids, particularly inorganic acids, and more particularly boric and phosphoric acid, as the use proposed in the present invention in the leaching stage or in the. bioleaching stage, copper recovery of the mineral increases in the stage, leaching or bioleaching and at the same time increases the copper concentration of the PLS solution, increasing the production and productivity of the plant, without increasing consumption of water, plant size, ni. increasing waste generation.

The objective of the present invention is to incorporate a weak, oxygenated or polyoxygenated acid into the irrigation system, or to add a top layer of another mineral to the leaching pile that can generate a weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acid in order to improve recovery of copper and increase the concentration of copper in the PLS.

Another preferred objective of the present invention is to incorporate a weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acid into the bioloxing process, either by directly adding a weak acid to the bio1ixi.viation stack or by incorporating another mineral that can generate a weak acid in order to improve recovery. of copper and increase the concentration of copper obtained in this process.

In particular, the present invention relates to the use of boric acid, (in any degree of concentration), its derivatives, minerals containing boron, borax, its derivatives, solid and liquid wastes and wastes, of boric acid and borax producing plants , in the leaching or biolixing of copper ores, by means of sulfuric acid or its derivatives.

The present invention is also. refers to the use of phosphoric acid, (in any degree of concentration), its derivatives, phosphorus-containing minerals, its derivatives, solid and liquid wastes and wastes, of phosphoric acid producing plants, in the leaching or biolixing of copper ores , by sulfuric acid or its derivatives.

The present invention also describes a leaching process in which a necessary amount of a weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acid, or a compound or mineral that generates it, is added to the leaching process and sulfuric acid is added in parallel to the leach pile . The amount needed of weak acid will depend on the characteristics of the. mineral a. leach

Said addition of the weak acid to the leaching stack can be carried out jointly with the sulfuric acid, or added simultaneously through the usual procedures of adding acid to the batteries.

However, the incorporation of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acid can also be carried out if you are in the leach pile, adding a mineral or compound that generates a onto the leach pile. said weak acid. This due to. that the contact of the mineral or compound that generates the weak acid with sulfuric acid will generate the weak acid in situ.

A similar procedure can be carried out in the bioleaching process, where it is possible to add the oxygenated or polyoxygenated weak acid directly to the bioleaching process in conjunction with the sulfuric acid, or obtain it in itself in the bioleaching stack, adding on the leaching pile a mineral or a compound that generates said weak acid.

In the present invention, boric acid refers to H ₃ B0 ₃ (trioxoboric acid (III), B (OH) ₃ , also called orthoboric acid), or its derivatives. Boron minerals refers to, but not limited to, ulexite, colemanite, kernite, pandermite, bakerite, datolite, elbaite, admontite, aksaite, ameghinite, ammonium borate, arstastanite, avogadrite, axinite, bandilite, barberite, behierite, berborite, berborite, berborite, berborite, berborite, berborite boracita, boralsilite, borax, borazona, borcarita, bormuscovíta, kalinite, calciborita, carboborato, chambersita, ita Charles, congolita, danburite, datolita, diomignita, dravita, dumortierite, eremeevita, ericaita, escurrita, estroncioborita, fabianita, ferruccita, flolovita, fluoborita , Foitita, frolovita, garrelsita, gaudefroyita, ginorita, gowerita, halurgita, hambergite, heidornite, henmilite, hexahydroborite, hydroboracite, hydrochlorborite, hilgardite, holtite, howlite, hulsite. , hungchaoita, inderborita, inderita, inyoita, j eremej avo, jimboita, kalborsita, karlita, katoita, kornerupina, kotoita, kurnakovita, lardarelita, ludwigita, lueneburgite, luidwigita, manandonita, mcallisterita, metavita, norditita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasferita, nasborita nobleite, nordenskjoeldina, olenita, oyelita, Painite, pentahidroborato, pinnoita, povondraite, preobrazhenskita, priceite, pringleita, probertita, reedmergnerita, rhodozita, rivadavita, roweita, Sabinita, sakhita, little saint, sassolite, sborgita, schorl, seamanita, searlesite, serendibita, sibirskita, sinhalita, solongoita, spurrita, stillwellita, studenitsita, sturmanita, suanita, sulfoborita, susexita, szaibelita, teepleita, tertschita, tincalconita, tunellita, tusionita, tyretskita, uralborita, veatchita, vesuvianita boronic, boronita, boronite , wighmanita, wiluita, wiserita.

Boron compounds refers, without limitation, to borax (Na ₂ B 0 ₇ - 10H ₂ O or pentahydrate, sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, sodium heptaoxotetraborate), borates (compounds containing boron oxoanions, with boron in the state of oxidation of +3), boranos (boron hydrides).

In the present invention, phosphoric acid refers to H P0 ₄ . (sometimes called orthophosphoric acid), copper compounds are referred to without being limited to; Phosphates, Phosphonates, Phosphorus, Phosphides, Sodium hypophosphite, Phosphine oxide, Phosphorus pentafluoride, Phosphorus trichloride, Hexafluorophosphoric acid, Phosphorus oxide (III) and V), among others. Phosphorus minerals refers to phosphoric rocks without limitation, such as lignite, Andalusian, Aheilite, alderma ita, alforsite, alluaudite, altausite, amblygonite, Anapaite, apatite, arctite, Ardealite, arupite, augelite, Autunite, babeffite, barbosalite, baricite, barringerite, bassetite, bauxite, beartite, belovita benauita, beraunita, berilonita, berlinita, bermanita bertosaita, beusita, bifosfamita, bobierrita, boggildita bonshtedtita, brabantita, bradleyita, brazilianita, canaitaita brittany, canaitaita canaita , Cheralite, churchite, Cyrilovite chlorapatite, cofinite, cabbage, Cooeruleolactite, corkite cornetite, crandalite, crawfordite, curetonite, Diadochita dittmarite, dorfmanite, duphrenite, dumontite, earlshanonite Ehrleita, eosforita, escorunitta, strutterite, strutterite, sporitrite, stripper, stripper, stripper is anbergi eswitzerita ta, fairfieldita, farringtonita, florencita, fluelita fluorapatite, lestadita Fluorel, foggita, fornacita, fosfamita fosfoelenbergerita, Fosfoferrita, fosfofibrita, fosforroslerita phosphophyllite, phosphosiderite, Fosfouranilita, fosinaita fosfovanadilita, francoanelita, fransoletita, Frondelita, furalumita furcalita, furongita, ga inesita, galileita, gatumbaita gatehouseite, giniite, girvasita, glucina, gorceixita, gordonita goyazita, graftonita, grattarolaita, grayita, hentschelita Herderita, heterosita, hidroxilapatita, hydroxilherderita hidroxil-piromorfita, hinsdalita, holtedalita, jutitaitaita, holtedalita, joritaitaita, holtedalita, jutitaitaita, holtedalita, joritaitaita, holtedalitaita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, holtedalita, jagitita, smalltealite, holtedalite, jagitite kaluginita, kidwelita, kingita, kingsmountita, kintoreita kleemanita, kolbeckita, koninckita, kosnarita, Kovdorskita kribergita, kryzhanovskita, kuksita, lacroixita, landesita Laubmanita, laueita, lazulita, lithophyllite, lehnerite lithophyllite, lithophyllite, lithophyllite, lithophosite lithium lithosite , lomonosovita. ludlamite, luneburgite, magniotriplite, mangangordonite mahlmoodite, maricite, matulaite, metaankoleite

Metaswitzerite, metatorbenite, metavariscite, metavauxite Mimetite, mtridatite, monazite, monetite, montebrasite montgomerite, Moraesite, moreauite, morinite, rnundite, nabaphite Nafedovite, nalipoite, Nasicon, nastrophyte, natrophilite natrophosphate, nefedovite., newberite, niahita, ningyoita., nissonite, olympite, overite, oxiapatite, parafransoletite, parahopeite, paravauxite, parsonite, Paulkellerite, Petersite, pyrophosphite, pi romorphite, plumbogumite, pretulite, puritulite, puritulite, pugulite, puritulite, puritulite, puritulite, puritolite, puritulite, puritulite, puritulite, puritolite, purpurate ita, robertsita, Rockbridgeita, rodolicoita, sabugalita, saleeita, sampleita, saterlita, Scheribersita, scholzita, seamanita, segelerita, senegalita, sengalita, Sidorenkita, sieleckita, century., silicocarnotita, taranakita, tarbutita

 Tavorite, threadgoldite, tinsleyite, tinticite, triangulite, Trifilite, Triplite, triploidite, trolley, turquoise, Uralolite, us kovita, vaeyrynenite, vanmeerscheita, variscita, varulita, vashegita, veszelita, Viitaniemiita, vitusita, vitagita, vitagita, vitagita, vitagita, vitagita, viangita , wagrierita, wardita, wavelita, whitmoreita, wolfeita, oodhouseita, wooldridgeita, ximengita, zairita, zapatalita, zodacita.

Example 1 Application of different concentrations of boric acid for the copper ores studied.

General Protocol:

In the present example, the samples used in leaching correspond to oxidized copper ores, mainly crisocola (hydrated copper silicate). From the samples 40 g were mashed. of dry and ground ore, on which the base of the leaching solution composed of 1000 mL of water, 61 mL of 5% H ₂ S0 _{4 was added} and, as proposed by the invention, varying amounts of boric acid. The resulting mixture was kept under stirring for 30 min. at room temperature (20-25 ° C). After obtaining a solution loaded with copper from leaching (PLS), a solvent extraction stage is continued. For this a mixture was prepared in re an organic extractant CuPRO MEX 3506 ^® dissolved at 10% v / v in Escaid ^® 1.10 (from ExxonMobil Chemical). The extractant solution was mixed with the PLS under stirring for 15 min. in a separatory funnel and the phases were separated.

The organic phase contains a high concentration of copper (ER) and its destination is the re-extraction stage. The. aqueous phase returns to. the leaching stage.

Finally the organic phase is taken to the electrobotenation stage using a poor electrolyte (EP) composed of CuS0 ₄ * 5H ₂ 0 (Cu = 33, 36 g / L), sulfuric acid (180 g / L) and water. This electrolyte was re-extracted with charged organic (OC) in a separatory funnel and left under stirring for 15 min. After the re-extraction stage, the organic returns to the extraction stage and the rich electrolyte (with a concentration of 40 g / L) enters the electro-obtaining stage, so that at the exit of the electro-obtaining process the electrolyte is obtained obtained corresponds to the poor electrolyte.

The copper recovery parameters were established according to the initial mass and recovered in the different stages of the process.

Table 1 shows the standardized parameters for the stages included in the leaching process. Where PLS corresponds to the product obtained after treating the. Copper ore with the leaching solution and EP is poor electrolyte.

Table 1. Parameters established for the leaching protocol

 Fluid Parameter Value

PLS Cu concentration> 1.7 g / L H 1.7 to 2.0

Cu concentration 42-46 g / L

 ER Concentration of 180 g / L

 sulfuric acid

Organic CuPro Max Dilution at 9%

 v / v in Escaid

 110

In this example, the effects of a leaching solution composed of: water, 5% sulfuric acid and varying amounts of boric acid were compared with a conventional leaching solution in a copper extraction process. The tests were performed following the general protocol already described using a leaching solution composed of 1000 mL of water, 61 raL of 5% sulfuric acid and varying amounts of boric acid. The amount of total copper present in the initial mineral, in the post-filtered liquid and in wash water and the concentration of copper in the PLS was determined (Table 2).

The results indicate that by including boric acid, according to the use of the present invention, in the leaching process, it is increased by up to one. 10% copper recovery compared to a conventional leaching solution (figure 2). The highest recovery percentage was obtained by adding 24.86 g of Boric Acid H; B0 ₅ (Figure 2).

Table 2 shows the volumes and masses of reagents used in the copper recovery process by adding boric acid in the leaching solution. Additionally, the concentration of copper present in the filtered liquid (PLS) in the wash water (AL) and the percentage of copper in the remaining bargain are determined. Table 2. Values of reagents and recovery of copper in test for the addition of boric acid to leaching solution.

 Where Total Copper Recovery »[{copper feed copper - Bargain copper) / Copper in feed ore! * 100

Example 2: Effect of the addition of boron minerals in copper leaching.

Copper ore, 5% sulfuric acid, water and ulexite (sodium bonta pentahydrate and calcium) are mixed in an amount equivalent to. 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g of boric acid, respectively.

This mixture is stirred for 30 minutes, then filtered, obtaining the PLS, which is chemically analyzed for 3etermine its copper content Cu. The remaining solid (bargain.) 2S washed with 250 mL of water. The wash water (AL) is chemically analyzed in order to determine its content. The wet bargain is dried, heavy, pulverized and: omogenized for. then be chemically analyzed to eliminate its copper content. rage 3: ülexite tests

 Where Total Copper Recovery »[(copper feed ore - Copper on bargain) / l'obre on feed ore} * 100

In figure 3, the amount of copper in the PLS can be seen with respect to the amount of Ulexite added, where m significant positive effect is observed or in the recovery of copper in ≥1 PLS when Ulexite is added to the leaching process.

Therefore, the present invention favors the leaching of copper nannies, by adding the mineral from which it is generated if weak acid.

Example 3: Effect of the addition of orthophosphoric acid in the leaching solution in the copper recovery process.

one In this example, the effect of a leaching solution composed of water, 5% sulfuric acid and varying volumes of concentrated orthophosphoric acid was determined in the copper ore refining process The test of the new leaching solution was performed following the protocol already described with a base solution composed of 1000 mL of water 61 mL of 5% sulfuric acid and the different volumes added of ortho phosphoric acid as mentioned in table 7.

Table 7. Volumes of reagents used in the leaching solution composed of orthophosphoric acid at 85% concentration.

The addition of orthophosphoric acid to the leaching solution generated a higher percentage of copper recovery compared to a conventional leaching solution (without orthophosic acid). The maximum recovery point of the metal occurred when 20.6 mL of orthophosphoric acid H _? P0 ₄ at a concentration of 85 gr / L (figure 4).

Description figures:

Figure 1. Global process of recovering copper from minerals. The figure presents the stages that make up General procedure of copper extraction: leaching, extraction, re-extraction and electro-collection, and the products and intermediaries of each stage.

Figure 2. Effect of a leaching solution with boric acid on copper recovery, a) La. graph represents the increase in copper recovery percentage as boric acid (g) is added to the leaching solution, b) The curve describes the increase in copper concentration (g / L) contained in the PLS according to the addition of boric acid (g) to the leaching solution during copper recovery.

Figure 3. Effect of the addition of ulexite on copper recovery in the leaching process, a) The graph shows the increase in the percentage of copper recovery as ulexite ore is added to the leaching solution, b) The curve represents the increase in the concentration of copper contained in the PLS as ulexite mineral is added in the leaching solution.

Figure 4. Effect of the addition of orthophospheric acid in a leaching solution on copper recovery. a) The graph shows an increase in the percentage of copper recovery as orthophosphoric acid is added to the leaching solution (g). b) The curve represents the concentration of copper detected in PLS (g / L) with respect to the amount of boric acid added (g) in the leaching solution, during the process of obtaining.

Claims

 CLAIMS: 1. Use of weak oxygenated acids or po1io igados or minerals or compounds that generate CHARACTERIZED because it serves to increase the recovery of copper from the mineral and / or to increase the copper concentration of the solution (PLS), in the leaching process coppermade. 2. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper leaching, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because the weak acid can be, among others, boric acid or phosphoric acid. 3. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper leaching, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because the weak acid is preferably boric acid or also called Ortho boric acid. 4. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper leaching, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because the weak acid is preferably phosphoric acid or also called orthophosphoric acid. 5. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper leaching, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because the mineral contains Boron or Phosphorus. 6. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper leaching, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because the mineral contains Boron 7. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper leaching, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the mineral contains Phosphorus. 8. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper leaching, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because the boron ore can be selected, among others, but not limited to, from ulexite, colemanite, kernite , pandermita, bakerita, datolita, elbaíta, admontita, aksaita, ameghinita, amonioborato, aristarainita, avogadrita, axinita, bandilita, barberiita, behierita, berborita, biringucita, boracita, boralsilita, borax, borazona, borcarita, calcarita, borcarita, calcarita, calcarita, calcarita , chambersita, charlesita, congolita, danburita, datolita, diomignita, dravita, dumortierita, eremeevita, ericaita, escurrita, estroncioborita, fabianita, ferruccita, flolovita, fluoborita, Foitita, frolovita, garrelsita, gudorita, haudemorro, halide , henmilite, hexahydroborite, hydroboracite, hydrochlorborit, hilgardite, holtite, howli a, hulsite, hungchaoite, inderborite, inderita, inyoita, j éremej avoids, j imboit, kalborsita, karlita, katoita, kornerupina, kotoi a, kurnakovita, lardarelita, ludwigita, lueneburgite, luidwigita, manandon.ita, mcallisterita, metaborite, meyerhofferita, moyditavita, moyditavita, moyditavita, moyditavita, moyditavita, moyditavita, moyditavita, moyditavita, moyditavita, moyditavita, moyditavita, moyditavita, moyditaita nordenskj oeldina, olenite, oyelite, painite, pentahydroborate, pinnoite, povondraite, querbrazhenskite, priceite, pringleite. , probertita, reedmergnerita, rhodozita, rivadavita, roweita, sabinita, sakhita, santita, sassolita, sborgita, schorl, seamanita, searlesita, serendibi a, sibirskita, sinhalita, solongoita, spurrita, stillwellita, studenitsita, sturmanitaita, sturmanborita, sturmanborita, sturmanborita, sturmanborita, sturmanborita, sturmanborita, sturmanborita, sturmanborita, sturmanborite, sturmanborite, sturmanborite, sturmanborite, sturmanborite, sturmanborite, sturmanborite, sturmanborite, sturmanite, suurite szaibelite, teepleite, tertschite, tincalconite, tunellite, tusionite, tyretskita, uralborite, veatchite, boric vesuvianite, vistepita, volkovskita, vonsenite, warwickite, wawayandaite, wighmanite, wiluite, wiserite, among others. 9. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals that generate them in copper leaching, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because the phosphorus ore can be selected, without limitation, from Aheilite aldermanite, alforsite, alluaudite, altausite, amblygonite Anapaita , apatite, arctite, Ardealite, arupite, augelite Auturiita, babeffita, barbosalite, baricite, barringerite bassetite, bauxite, beartite, belovite, benauite, berramonite berlinite, berlinite, bermanite, bertosaite, bephite biphosphonite, bohdita bitabita, bohitae brazilianita, brianita, britolita, Brushita buchwaldita, cacoxenita, chalcosiderite, canafita, cassidita Cheralite, churchita, cirilovita, chlorapatite, cofinita colinsita, Cooeruleolactita, corkita, cornetita, crandalita. Crawfordite, Curetonite, Diadochite, Dittmarite, Dorfmanite Duphrenite, Dumontite, Earlshanonite, Ehrleita, Eosforite Scorzali Ta, Spencerite, Stercorite, Sterwartite Little starfish, estrunzite, struvite, esvanbergite, eswitzerita fairfieldita, farringtonita, little flower, fluelite Fluorapatite, Fluorellestadite, Foggite, Fornacita, Phosphoelenbergerite phosphamite, Phosphoferri a. fosfofibrita, fosforroslerita phosphophyllite, phosphosiderite, fosfovanadilita Fosfouranilita, fosinaita, francoanelita, fransoletita Frondelita, furalumita, furcalita, furongita, galileita gainesita, gatehouseita, gatumbaita, giniita, glucine girvasita, gorceixita, gordonita, goyazita, grattarolaita graftonite, grayita, hentschelita, Herderite, Heterosite hydroxylapatite, hydroxylherderite, hydroxyl-pyromorphite hinsdalite, holtedalite, hopeite, hotsonite, Hurlulite hureaulite, isokite, jagowerite, kaluginite, kiddite kingite, kingsmountite, kintoreite, kleemanite, kolbeckita koninckita, koninckita koninckita, koninckita koninckita, koninckita koninckita, koninckita koninckita, koninckita koninckita, koninckita koninckita kryzhanovskita, kuksita, lacroixita, landesita, Laubmanita, laueita, lazurite, lehnerita, lermontovita, leucofosfita, libetenita, likasita, lipscombite, liroconite, litiofilita, litiofosfatita, litiofosfato, lomonosovita, Ludlamite, luneburgita, magniotriplita, mahlmoodi to, mangangordonita, maricita, matulaita , metaankoleite, Metaswitzerite, metatorbenite, metavariscite, metavau ita. , Mimetite, mitridatita, monazite, monetite, montebrasite, montgomerita, Moraesita, moreauita, morinita, Mundita, nabafita, nafedovita, nalipoita, Nasicon, nastrofita, natrophilite, natrofosfato, nefedovita, newberita, niahita, ningyoi to, nissonita, Olimpita, overita, oxyapatite .. parafransoletita, parahopeita, paravauxita, parsonita, Paulkelleri ta, Pecersita, pirofosfita, Pyromorphite, lumbogutnita, pretulita, pseudolaueita, pseudotnalaquita, glitter, reichenbachita, robertsita, Rockbridgeite, rodolicoita, sabugalita, saleeite, sampleite, saterlita, Scheribersita, scholzite, seamanite, segelerite, senegalite, sengalite, Sidorenkita, sieleckite, century old, silicocarnotite, taranakite, tarbutite, Tavorite, threadgoldite, tinsleyite, tinticite, triangulite, Trifilite, Triplite, triploidite, troleite, turquoise, Uralolite, varicella, Uralolite, varnish varulite, vashegite, veszelite, viitaniemiite, vitusite, vivianite, vochtenite, voggite, vuonnemite, vyac heslavita, wagnerita, wardita, wavelita, whitmoreita, wolfeita, wood ouseita, wooldridgeita, ximengita, zairita, zapatalita, zodacita, among others.  10. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper leaching, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because the compound is because the compound can be among others a boron compound. 11. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in the leaching of Copper, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because the compound can be among others, is a phosphorus compound. 12. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper leaching, according to claim. 10, CHARACTERIZED because the compound is a boron compound preferably selected, without limitation, from borax, borates, borane, among others.  13. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in the leaching of copper, according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED in that the compound is a phosphorus compound preferably selected, without limitation, from phosphonates, phosphorus, phosphides, hypophosphite Sodium, Phosphine Oxide, Phosphorus Pentafluoride Phosphorus Trichloride, Hexafluorophosphoric Acid, Phosphorus Oxide (III) and (V), among others.  14. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper leaching, according to claim 1. CHARACTERIZED because it serves to increase the recovery of copper from the mineral.  1.5. Copper leaching procedure CHARACTERIZED because it includes:  - adding a necessary amount of a weak oxygenated acid or polyoxy.gena.do, or a compound or mineral that generates it, to the leaching process. - Add, in parallel, sulfuric acid to the leaching stack. Where the necessary amount of the weak oxygen or polyoxygenated acid will depend on the characteristics of the mineral. 16. The copper leaching process according to claim 14 CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises preferably adding a weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acid to the leaching stack. 17. Copper leaching process according to claim 15 CHARACTERIZED in that said weak acid is preferably boric acid or phosphoric acid. 18. Copper leaching process according to claim 14 CHARACTERIZED in that said mineral is added to the leaching process. 19. Copper leaching process according to claim 17 CHARACTERIZED in that said mineral is preferably a Boron or Phosphorus mineral. 20. Copper leaching process according to claim 17 CHARACTERIZED in that said compound is preferably a Boron or Phosphorus compound. 21. Copper leaching process according to claim 17 CHARACTERIZED in that said compound is preferably selected from borax, borates, borane, among others 22. Copper leaching process according to claim 17 CHARACTERIZED in that said compound is preferably selected from borax. 23. Copper leaching procedure, according to. claim 17 CHARACTERIZED in that said compound is preferably selected phosphates, phosphonates, phospharans, phosphites, phosphides, sodium hypophosphite, phosphine oxide, phosphorus phosphorotricloroxy pentafluoride, hexafluorophosphoric acid, phosphorus oxide (III) and (V), among others . 24. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them CHARACTERIZED because it serves to increase the recovery of copper from the mineral and / or to increase the copper concentration of the solution, in the copper bioleaching process. 25. Use of weak acids or oxygenated or polyoxygenated minerals or compounds that generate them in the bioleaching of copper according to claim 21, CHARACTERIZED because the weak acid can be, among others, boric acid or phosphoric acid. 26. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in the bioleaching of copper, according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED because the weak acid is preferably boric acid or also called Ortho boric acid. 27. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in the bioleaching of copper, according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED because the weak acid is preferably phosphoric acid or also called orthophosphoric acid. 28. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in the bioleaching of copper, according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED because the mineral contains Boron or Phosphorus. 29. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper bioleaching. , according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED because the mineral contains Boron 30. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in the. bioleaching of copper, according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED because the ore has phosphorus. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper bioleaching, according to claim. 24, CHARACTERIZED because boron ore can be selected, among others, but not limited to, from ulexite, colemanite, kernite, paridermite bakerite, datolite, elbaite, admontite, aksaita, ameghinite ammoniumborate, aristarainite, avogadrita, axinite, barberil ta bandilite, Behierita, berborita. biringucita, boralsilite boracita, borax, borazona, borcarita, calmita bormuscovita, calciborita, carboborato, chambersita, charlesita congoli to, danburite, datolita, diomignita, dravita dumortierite, eremeevita, ericaita, escurrita estroncioborita, fabianita, ferrucoita, flolovita, fluoborita Foitita, frolovita , garrelsita, gaudefroyita, ginorita gowerita, halurgita, hambergita, heidornita, henmilita exahidroborita, hidroboracita, hidroclorborita, hilgardita holtita, howli a, huísita, hungchaoita, iriderborita, inderita inyoita, jeremeitavita, kimorina kita, kimorina kitakita, kimorina kita, kimorina kitakita, kimorina kita, kimorina kitakita, kimorina kita, kimorita kita kita, kimorita kita kita, kimorita kita kita, kimborite , lardarelite, ludwigita lueneburgite, luidwigita, manandonite, mcallisterite metaborite, meyerhofferita, moydita, nasinite, nifontovite nobleite., nordenskjoeldina, olenite, oyelite, painite. pentahydroborate, pinnoite, povondraita, querbrazhenskita priceita, pringleita, probertita, reedmergnerita, rhodozita rivadavita, roweita, sabinita, sakhita, santita, sassolita sborgita, schorl, seamanita, searlesita, serendibita sibirsrita, sibirsita, sibirsita, sibirsita, sibirsita, sibirsita, sibirsita, sibirsita , sulfoborite, susexita szaibelita, teepleita, tertschita, tincalconita, tunellita tusionita, tyretskita, uralborita, veatchi a, vesuvianita boric, vistepita, volkovskita, vonsenita, arwickita, wawayandaita, wighmanita, wiluita, iserita, iserita, iserita, iserita, iserita, iserita, iserita, iserita, iserita, iserita, iserita, iserita, iserita, iserita. 32. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals that generate them in the bioleaching of copper, according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED because the phosphorus ore can be selected, without limitation, from Aheilite, aldermanite, alforsite, alluaudite, altausite, amblygonite , Anapaita, apatita, arctita, Ardealita, arupita, augelita, Autunita, babeffita, barbosalita, baricita, barringerita, bassetita, bauxita, beartita, belovita, benauita, beraunita, berilonita, berlinita, Bermanita, bertosaita, beusita, bifos, bogosta , bonshtedtita, braban.ti.ta, bradleyite, brazilianita, brianita, britolita, Brushita, buchwaldita, cacoxenita, chalcosiderite, can.af.ita, cassidita, Cheralite, churchita, cirilovita, chlorapatite, cofinite, colinsite, Cooerorkolactite, corita corita, corita , crandalite, crawfordite, curebonite, diadochite, dittmarite, dorfmanite, duphrenite, dumontite, earlshanonite, ehrleite, eosforite, scorcorite, spencerite, esterc orita, esterwartita, Estrengita, estrunzita, struvita, esvanbergita, eswitzerita, fairfieldita, farringtonita, florrencita, fluelita, Fluorapatite, Fluorellestadite, fogg. , giniita, girvasita, glucina, gorceixita, chordonita, goyazita, graftonita, grattarolaita, gravita, hentschelita, Herderita, heterosita, hidroxilapatita, hidroxilherderita, hidroxil-piromorfita, hinsdalita, holtedalita, hopeita, hotsonita, huraaita, kugaita, hutaulita, hutaulita, hutaulita, hutaulita, hutaulite, hutaulite, hutaulite, hutaulite, hutaulite, hutaulite, hutaulite, hutaulite, hutaulite , kidwelita, kingita, kingsmountita, kintoreita, kleemanita, kolbeckita, koninckita, kosnarita, Kovdorskita, kribergita, kryzhanovskita, kuksita, lacroixita, landesita, Laubraanita, laueita, lazurite, lehnerita, lermontovita, leucofosf ita, libetenita, likasita, lipscombite, liroconite, litiofilita, litiofosfatita, litiofosfato, lomonosovita, Ludlamite, luneburgita, magniotriplita, mahlmoodi a. , Mangangordonita, triaric ita, matulaita, metaankoleita, Metaswitzerita, raetatorbenita, metavariscita, metavauxita, Minetita, mitridatita, monazite, monetite, montebrasite, montgomerita, Moraesita, moreauita, morinita, Mundita, nabafita, nafedovita, nalipoita, Nasicon, nastrofita, natrophilite, natrofosfato, nefedovita, newberita, niahita, ningyoi to, nissonita, Olimpita, overita, oxyapatite, parafransoletita, parahopeita, paravauxita, parsonita, Paulkellerita, Petersita, pirofosfita, Pyromorphite, plumbogumita, pretulita, pseudolaueita, pseudoraalaquita, Purpuri to, reichenbachita, robertsita, Rockbridgeite, rodolicoita, sabugalita, saleeite, sarapleita, saterlita, Scheribersita, scholzite, seamanita, segelerita, senegalita, sengalita, Sidorenkita, sieleckita, sigloita, silicocarnotite, taranakite, tarbutita, Tavorita, threadgoldita, tinsleyita, tinticita, triangulita, triphylite, triplite, triploidite, trolley, turquoise, Uralolite, ushkovite, vaeyrynenite, vanmeerscheita , variscita, varulita, vashegita, veszelita, Viitaniemiita, vitusita, Vivianita, vochtenita, voggita, vuonnemita, vyacheslavita, wagnerita, wardita, wavelita, whitmoreita, wolfeita, woodhouseita, wooldridgeita, ximengita, zairita, zapatalita, zapatalita, zapatalita, zapatalita, zapatalita.  3. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in the bioleaching of copper, according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED because the compound is because the compound can be among others a boron compound. 4. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in the bioleaching of copper, according to. claim 24, CHARACTERIZED because the. compound can be among others, it is a phosphorus compound. 35. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in the bioleaching of copper, according to claim 33, CHARACTERIZED because the compound is a boron compound preferably selected, without limitation, from borax, borates, borane, among others .  36. Use of weak oxygenated acids or mineral polyoxygenates or compounds that generate them in the bioleaching of copper, according to claim 34, CHARACTERIZED in that the compound is a phosphorus compound preferably selected, without limitation, from phosphonates, phosphorus, phosphides, hypophosphite. Sodium, Phosphine Oxide, Phosphorus Pentafluoride Phosphorus Trichloride, Hexafluorophosphoric Acid, Phosphorus Oxide (III) and (V), among others.  37. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids or minerals or compounds that generate them in copper bioleaching, according to claim 24 CHARACTERIZED because it serves to increase the recovery of copper from the mineral.  38. Copper bioleaching procedure, CHARACTERIZED because it comprises: ^■ - add a necessary amount of a weak oxygenated acid or pol. ixigenated, or a compound or mineral that generates it, to the bioleaching process. - Add, in parallel, sulfuric acid to the bioleaching stack or dump. Where the amount of acid added will depend on the characteristics of the mineral to biolixivia. 39. Copper bioleaching process according to claim 24 CAR ATERIZED in that it comprises preferably adding a weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acid to the bioleaching process. 40. Copper bioleaching process according to claim 25 CHARACTERIZED in that said weak acid is preferably boric acid or phosphoric acid. 41. Copper leaching process according to claim 24 CHARACTERIZED in that said mineral is added to the bioleaching process. 42. Copper bioleaching process according to claim 27 CHARACTERIZED because said mineral. It is preferably a Boron or Phosphorus mineral. 43. Copper bioleaching process according to claim 27 CHARACTERIZED in that said compound or is preferably a compound of Boron or Phosphorus. 44. Copper bioleaching process according to claim 27 CHARACTERIZED in that said compound is preferably selected from borax, borates, borane, among others 45. Copper bioleaching process according to claim 27 CHARACTERIZED in that said compound is preferably selected from borax. 46. Copper bioleaching process according to claim 27 CHARACTERIZED in that said compound is preferably selected phosphates, phosphonates, phosphanes, phosphites, phosphides, sodium hypophosphite, phosphine oxide, phosphorotricl pentafluoride phosphorus acid, hexafluorophosphoric acid , Phosphorus oxide (III) and (V), among others. 47. Use of solid and liquid wastes from oxygenated or polyoxygenated weak acid producing plants and their derivatives, CHARACTERIZED because it serves to increase the recovery of copper from the mineral and / or to increase the copper concentration of the solution (PLS), in the process copper leaching, or in the process of copper bioleaching. 48. Use of solid and liquid wastes from oxygenated or polyoxygenated weak acid producing plants and their derivatives, CHARACTERIZED because it serves to increase the recovery of copper from the mineral and / or to increase the copper concentration of the solution (PLS), in the process copper leaching. 49. Use of solid and liquid wastes from boric acid, borax and phosphoric acid producing plants and their derivatives, CHARACTERIZED because it serves to increase. recovery of copper from the mineral and / or to increase the copper concentration of the solution (PLS), in the copper bioleaching process. 50. Use of weak oxygenated or polyoxygenated acids, or minerals or compounds that generate them in the. leaching or bioleaching of copper according to claim 1 CHARACTERIZED in that the acid has a dissociation constant that varies between 1, 80 x 10 ^'16 and 55.50, with the exception of carbonic acid.