ABSTRACT
Nearly 30% of domestic copper mine production is derived by solution mining methods. An important copper contributor is percolation leaching of huge waste rock dumps, resulting from the stripping of overburden at existing open pit copper mines. Most of the copper in mine waste is in the form of the primary copper sulfide mineral, chalcopyrite. Because of its greater complexity, copper mine waste leaching will be discussed in the next chapter. Percolation leaching of oxidized copper ores is also important and will be covered in this chapter. Leaching secondary copper sulfide minerals will also be covered in this chapter.
