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In 2002, with the challenge of incorporating biotechnology developments in mining industry, Codelco and JX Nippon Mining and Metals Corp., sponsored by “Genoma Chile” Program, created BioSigma S.A.

During the first five years (2002- 2007), the company focused on creating new technologies for isolation, growth and biomonitoring “biomining” microorganisms, generating successful processes to bioleach copper contained in secondary and primary sulfide ores. During that period, more than 100 patent applications were filed, (77 of them already granted), a multidisciplinary team was formed and a world class infrastructure was installed with the aim of developing bioleaching technologies.

Over the next five years (2008-2012), the company began technology transference and field validations of the developed bioleaching technologies at diverse mining sites. BioSigma operated in Andina Division of CODELCO; at 4.000 meters height and below zero temperatures, and also at División Radomiro Tomic of CODELCO, in the Atacama Desert.

In 2014, after 12 years of research and development dedicated to the generation of bioleaching processes of primary copper sulfides, the company has managed to validate their technologies in an industrial operation at Radomiro Tomic Division of CODELCO Chile. The results of copper extraction from predominantly primary minerals (chalcopyrite/ bornite) are between 30-50% more copper than conventional bioleaching (using native microorganisms). The main technological breakthrough of this technology is the dissolution, at environmental temperature, of copper contained in chalcopyrite and bornite, very abundant mineralogical species in the nature, but very difficult to bioleach.

www.biosigma.cl