Bioleaching of base metal sulphide concentrates: A comparison of mesophileand thermophile bacterial cultures

Citation
Dw. Dew et al., Bioleaching of base metal sulphide concentrates: A comparison of mesophileand thermophile bacterial cultures, PROCESS MET, 9, 1999, pp. 229-238
Citations number
7
Categorie Soggetti
Current Book Contents
Volume
9
Year of publication
1999
Part
A
Pages
229 - 238
Database
ISI
SICI code
Abstract
Billiton Process Research has carried out extensive research over the past four years to develop new process technology using bioleaching for extracti on of copper and nickel from their sulphide concentrates. Continuous pilot scale and laboratory batch testwork has been carried out with adapted mesop hile bacterial cultures at 40 degrees C - 45 degrees C, moderate thermophil e cultures at 50 degrees C - 55 degrees C and thermophile cultures at 65 de grees C - 85 degrees C. Pilot scale work has demonstrated the commercial viability of mesophile cul tures for bioleaching of secondary copper sulphide and nickel sulphide conc entrates. Moderate thermophiles offer benefits in terms of reduced cooling requirements for commercial reactors and, in the case of bioleaching of nic kel concentrates, some selectivity over bioleaching of pyrite. Continuous p ilot scale testwork has shown that thermophiles achieve efficient bioleachi ng of primary copper sulphide and nickel sulphide concentrates, giving much higher recoveries than achieved by bioleaching with a mesophile or moderat e thermophile culture.