Development of a Tank Bioleaching Process for the Treatment of Complex Cu-Polymetallic Concentrates

Abstract

The focus of this paper is on the development of a bioleaching process for the treatment of complex polymetallic concentrates, containing chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and silver, using a moderately thermophilic culture operating around 45°C. Initial development R&D work and subsequent research for process improvements carried out in bench-scale piloting facilities will be discussed.

Heap leaching technology – current state, innovations and future directions: A review

“…At present, commercial operations use acid leaching, although it is reported that alkaline heap leaching has been tested in China, and could be worth investigating for high acid consuming ores (Alta, 2011;Taylor, 2007Taylor, , 2009. Bacterial heap leaching is also being investigated for more complex, low-grade uranium ores (Gericke et al, 2008).…”

The Catalytic Role of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans for Metals Extraction from Mining - Metallurgical Resource

“…By continual growth of the bacteria in an environment that contains an increasing concentration of metals, the bacteria adapts and becomes tolerant to increasing toxic metals and copper. 83,84,85 Treatment of adapted cells A. ferrooxidans which are more tolerant of copper than unadapted cells by protein hydrolyzing enzymes leads to a loss of tolerance to copper. 86 …”