A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies

Autores
León, Fabian; Rojas, Luis; Bazan Brizuela, Vanesa Lucia; Martínez, Yuniel; Peña, Alvaro; Garcia, José
Año de publicación
2025
Idioma
inglés
Tipo de recurso
artículo
Estado
versión publicada
Descripción
Heap leaching of copper is faced with a complex set of challenges, including mineral heterogeneity, the formation of passivating species, and the need to regulate critical variables such as pH, redox potential (Eh), oxidant concentration, and irrigation rate. If these factors are not properly managed, copper recovery is reduced, and significant environmental impacts may be generated, highlighting the urgency for systematic and sustainable approaches. To address this challenge, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, screening 2344 documents and selecting 106 primary sources to analyze operational drivers and environmental considerations. Statistical methodologies (factorial designs, response surface methodology), multiscale modeling, and laboratory column tests were used to validate key variables, including pH (1.5–2.0), Eh (600–750 mV), temperature (25–55 °C), irrigation rate (5–15 L/(h·m2)), acid concentration (0.5–2.0 M), and emerging “green” reagents (e.g., glycine, organic surfactants). Precise control of these factors was found to reduce passivation, minimize fine-particle migration, and improve copper extraction up to 90%. The incorporation of oxidizing agents (e.g., Fe3+, H2O2) further accelerated mineral dissolution while preventing unwanted precipitates. In parallel, bioleaching strategies maintained high recoveries with lower chemical demand. Reviews of pilot studies confirmed the scalability of these optimized conditions, emphasizing both sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Fil: León, Fabian. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; Chile
Fil: Rojas, Luis. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; Chile
Fil: Bazan Brizuela, Vanesa Lucia. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones Mineras; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; Argentina
Fil: Martínez, Yuniel. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; Chile
Fil: Peña, Alvaro. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; Chile
Fil: Garcia, José. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; Chile
Materia
copper heap leaching
kinetic modeling
operational parameters
bio-lixiviation
Nivel de accesibilidad
acceso abierto
Condiciones de uso
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/
Repositorio
CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Institución
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
OAI Identificador
oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/273700
Acceder
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network_name_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
spelling A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering StrategiesLeón, FabianRojas, LuisBazan Brizuela, Vanesa LuciaMartínez, YunielPeña, AlvaroGarcia, Josécopper heap leachingkinetic modelingoperational parametersbio-lixiviationhttps://purl.org/becyt/ford/2.11https://purl.org/becyt/ford/2Heap leaching of copper is faced with a complex set of challenges, including mineral heterogeneity, the formation of passivating species, and the need to regulate critical variables such as pH, redox potential (Eh), oxidant concentration, and irrigation rate. If these factors are not properly managed, copper recovery is reduced, and significant environmental impacts may be generated, highlighting the urgency for systematic and sustainable approaches. To address this challenge, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, screening 2344 documents and selecting 106 primary sources to analyze operational drivers and environmental considerations. Statistical methodologies (factorial designs, response surface methodology), multiscale modeling, and laboratory column tests were used to validate key variables, including pH (1.5–2.0), Eh (600–750 mV), temperature (25–55 °C), irrigation rate (5–15 L/(h·m2)), acid concentration (0.5–2.0 M), and emerging “green” reagents (e.g., glycine, organic surfactants). Precise control of these factors was found to reduce passivation, minimize fine-particle migration, and improve copper extraction up to 90%. The incorporation of oxidizing agents (e.g., Fe3+, H2O2) further accelerated mineral dissolution while preventing unwanted precipitates. In parallel, bioleaching strategies maintained high recoveries with lower chemical demand. Reviews of pilot studies confirmed the scalability of these optimized conditions, emphasizing both sustainability and cost-effectiveness.Fil: León, Fabian. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; ChileFil: Rojas, Luis. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; ChileFil: Bazan Brizuela, Vanesa Lucia. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones Mineras; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Yuniel. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; ChileFil: Peña, Alvaro. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; ChileFil: Garcia, José. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; ChileMDPI2025-05info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501info:ar-repo/semantics/articuloapplication/pdfapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11336/273700León, Fabian; Rojas, Luis; Bazan Brizuela, Vanesa Lucia; Martínez, Yuniel; Peña, Alvaro; et al.; A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies; MDPI; Processes; 13; 5; 5-2025; 1-432227-9717CONICET DigitalCONICETenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/13/5/1513info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.3390/pr13051513info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas2025-10-22T11:40:49Zoai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/273700instacron:CONICETInstitucionalhttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/Organismo científico-tecnológicoNo correspondehttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/oai/requestdasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.arArgentinaNo correspondeNo correspondeNo correspondeopendoar:34982025-10-22 11:40:49.814CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicasfalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies
title A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies
spellingShingle A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies
León, Fabian
copper heap leaching
kinetic modeling
operational parameters
bio-lixiviation
title_short A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies
title_full A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies
title_fullStr A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies
title_full_unstemmed A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies
title_sort A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv León, Fabian
Rojas, Luis
Bazan Brizuela, Vanesa Lucia
Martínez, Yuniel
Peña, Alvaro
Garcia, José
author León, Fabian
author_facet León, Fabian
Rojas, Luis
Bazan Brizuela, Vanesa Lucia
Martínez, Yuniel
Peña, Alvaro
Garcia, José
author_role author
author2 Rojas, Luis
Bazan Brizuela, Vanesa Lucia
Martínez, Yuniel
Peña, Alvaro
Garcia, José
author2_role author
author
author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv copper heap leaching
kinetic modeling
operational parameters
bio-lixiviation
topic copper heap leaching
kinetic modeling
operational parameters
bio-lixiviation
purl_subject.fl_str_mv https://purl.org/becyt/ford/2.11
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/2
dc.description.none.fl_txt_mv Heap leaching of copper is faced with a complex set of challenges, including mineral heterogeneity, the formation of passivating species, and the need to regulate critical variables such as pH, redox potential (Eh), oxidant concentration, and irrigation rate. If these factors are not properly managed, copper recovery is reduced, and significant environmental impacts may be generated, highlighting the urgency for systematic and sustainable approaches. To address this challenge, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, screening 2344 documents and selecting 106 primary sources to analyze operational drivers and environmental considerations. Statistical methodologies (factorial designs, response surface methodology), multiscale modeling, and laboratory column tests were used to validate key variables, including pH (1.5–2.0), Eh (600–750 mV), temperature (25–55 °C), irrigation rate (5–15 L/(h·m2)), acid concentration (0.5–2.0 M), and emerging “green” reagents (e.g., glycine, organic surfactants). Precise control of these factors was found to reduce passivation, minimize fine-particle migration, and improve copper extraction up to 90%. The incorporation of oxidizing agents (e.g., Fe3+, H2O2) further accelerated mineral dissolution while preventing unwanted precipitates. In parallel, bioleaching strategies maintained high recoveries with lower chemical demand. Reviews of pilot studies confirmed the scalability of these optimized conditions, emphasizing both sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Fil: León, Fabian. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; Chile
Fil: Rojas, Luis. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; Chile
Fil: Bazan Brizuela, Vanesa Lucia. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones Mineras; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; Argentina
Fil: Martínez, Yuniel. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; Chile
Fil: Peña, Alvaro. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; Chile
Fil: Garcia, José. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; Chile
description Heap leaching of copper is faced with a complex set of challenges, including mineral heterogeneity, the formation of passivating species, and the need to regulate critical variables such as pH, redox potential (Eh), oxidant concentration, and irrigation rate. If these factors are not properly managed, copper recovery is reduced, and significant environmental impacts may be generated, highlighting the urgency for systematic and sustainable approaches. To address this challenge, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, screening 2344 documents and selecting 106 primary sources to analyze operational drivers and environmental considerations. Statistical methodologies (factorial designs, response surface methodology), multiscale modeling, and laboratory column tests were used to validate key variables, including pH (1.5–2.0), Eh (600–750 mV), temperature (25–55 °C), irrigation rate (5–15 L/(h·m2)), acid concentration (0.5–2.0 M), and emerging “green” reagents (e.g., glycine, organic surfactants). Precise control of these factors was found to reduce passivation, minimize fine-particle migration, and improve copper extraction up to 90%. The incorporation of oxidizing agents (e.g., Fe3+, H2O2) further accelerated mineral dissolution while preventing unwanted precipitates. In parallel, bioleaching strategies maintained high recoveries with lower chemical demand. Reviews of pilot studies confirmed the scalability of these optimized conditions, emphasizing both sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
publishDate 2025
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2025-05
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501
info:ar-repo/semantics/articulo
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/11336/273700
León, Fabian; Rojas, Luis; Bazan Brizuela, Vanesa Lucia; Martínez, Yuniel; Peña, Alvaro; et al.; A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies; MDPI; Processes; 13; 5; 5-2025; 1-43
2227-9717
CONICET Digital
CONICET
url http://hdl.handle.net/11336/273700
identifier_str_mv León, Fabian; Rojas, Luis; Bazan Brizuela, Vanesa Lucia; Martínez, Yuniel; Peña, Alvaro; et al.; A Systematic Review of Copper Heap Leaching: Key Operational Variables, Green Reagents, and Sustainable Engineering Strategies; MDPI; Processes; 13; 5; 5-2025; 1-43
2227-9717
CONICET Digital
CONICET
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/13/5/1513
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.3390/pr13051513
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv MDPI
publisher.none.fl_str_mv MDPI
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
reponame_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
collection CONICET Digital (CONICET)
instname_str Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
repository.name.fl_str_mv CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
repository.mail.fl_str_mv dasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.ar
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score 12.982451

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