Creating a critical snapshot of the bioleaching sector by using patent databank analysis.
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2017
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This work defines the profile of the bio-hydrometallurgy sector by presenting a statistical analysis of the patent
databank that covers the bioleaching field. The use of prior technology to take a snapshot helped provide a good
panorama of the major players in the extractive metallurgy operation. Using an international classification code,
1226 patent families were retrieved. This code was chosen for microorganisms used in extracting nonferrous
metals from ores or concentrates via wet processes. After a careful analysis that excluded (i) patent families
without applicant information, (ii) those belonging to applicants with just a few families, (ii) those with indexing
misconceptions, or (iv) duplicated families, only 312 patent families presented real interest and provided valuable
information to facilitate a full analysis. Of the four largest companies producing patents in this area, BHP
Billiton led the bioleaching of sulfide ores, followed by Beijing Nonferrous Central South University, which led
the strain cultivation methods and inoculum generation, and Nippon Steel which led the wastewater treatment
operations. This work also revealed that a classification of technical areas, although very important in classifying
some technologies, should be used very carefully, because some mistakes were detected during indexing, and
false results were sometimes retrieved while searching the patent databases. The evolution of patent production
is closely related to the fluctuations in global metal prices. It is also affected by the strategic decision of a
company CEO, especially when the time required to study a specific technology and develop an operation is very
long, expensive, and requires specialized and committed technicians. Some challenges which remains to be
overcome are: (i) bioleaching of low-grade chalcopyrite ores (ii) improving bacterial tolerance to chloride; (iii)
industrial bioleaching of nickel laterites and (iv) bioleaching of rare earths.
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Bioleaching, Prior art searching, Intellectual property, Innovation
Citação
FARIA, L. R. et al. Creating a critical snapshot of the bioleaching sector by using patent databank analysis. Hydrometallurgy, v. 175, p. 155-163, 2017. Disponível em: <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304386X17303560>. Acesso em: 05 abr. 2018.