BioHeap uses bioleaching technology to extract metals from ore through the use of special bacterial cultures which are living organisms rather than the traditional heap leaching method which uses toxic cyanide. The special bacterial cultures are used by BioHeap to leach or liberate valuable metals from sulphide ores. The leaching can occur in either tanks or on large heaps and is applicable mainly to low grade ores. The BioHeap process has low operating and capital costs and is compatible with most downstream processing options, including solvent extraction/electrowinning, hydroxide precipitation, sulphide precipitation, cementation, Carbon in Leach/Carbon in Pulp and ion exchange. The technology is available to resource producers and has been successfully demonstrated in the harsh summer of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, where day time temperatures regularly exceed 40°C and in the sub-arctic conditions of an Inner Mongolian winter where temperatures fell below -30°C. Nickel, copper, cobalt, zinc and refractory gold ores are all suited to BioHeap processing. Because the robust cultures that have been developed by BioHeap operate over a wide temperature range (15°C to 95°C) the technology can be applied in a wide range of climates. BioHeap is a patented bacterial leaching technology wholly owned by Western Areas that has been in development for over a decade, and is protected by an extensive international patent and trademark suite. Prior to Western Areas purchase of the BioHeap business in 2009,the Company was an industry leader in bacterial heap leaching and bacterial culture development (under the name Pacific Ore). In addition to the extensive patent portfolio, covering various aspects of the technology, BioHeap has real world experience with the design, construction and implementation of bioleaching projects.