The effects of bioleaching conditions on the nonferrous metals content in copper-zinc concentrate


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Abstract

The effects of pH and ferrous iron concentration in cultural medium on the bioleaching of copper-zinc concentrate by mesophilic and moderately thermophilic acidophilic microorganisms were studied. It was revealed that the optimum pH for bioleaching in presence of 5 g/L of ferrous iron was 1.4–1.5. It was shown that bioleaching under optimal conditions led to an increase in the copper content in solid phase from 10.1 to 14% and a decrease in the zinc content from 7.4 to 1.4%. The results of the present work demonstrate that acidophilic microorganisms can be used for treatment of complex sulfide concentrates containing copper and zinc.

About the authors

N. V. Fomchenko

Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology

Author for correspondence.
Email: natalya.fomchenko@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071

M. I. Muravyov

Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology

Email: natalya.fomchenko@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071

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