Composition and properties of bio-reagent to intensify leaching of nonferrous metals from sulfide ores and concentrates

Abstract

New information is obtained on composition and properties of a bio-reagent–oxidizer generated by mesophilic aerobic chemo-tropholytic bacteria Acidithiobaccilus ferrooxidans under oxidation of iron (II) ions in sulfuric acid solution. The composition and properties of the bio-reagent are compared with iron (III) sulfate used to intensify agitation and heap leaching of metals from sulfide ores and concentrates. The research with IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, Moessbauer spectrometry and potentiometry has revealed distinctive features of the bio-reagent and explained the experimentally observed increase in its oxidative activity when interacting with minerals.