Catalytic mechanism of manganese ions and visible light on chalcopyrite bioleaching in the presence of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

The bioleaching of chalcopyrite is low cost and environmentally friendly,but the leaching rate is low.To explore the mechanism of chalcopyrite bioleaching and improve its leaching rate,the effect and mechanism of manganese ions(Mn^(2+))and visible light on chalcopyrite mediated by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans(A.ferrooxidans)were discussed.Bioleaching experiments showed that when both Mn^(2+)and visible light were present,the copper extraction was 14.38%higher than that of the control system(without Mn^(2+)and visible light).Moreover,visible light and Mn^(2+)promoted the growth of A.ferrooxidans.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS)analysis revealed that Mn^(2+)promoted the formation of extracellular polymeric substance(EPS)on the surface of chalcopyrite,changed the morphology of A.ferrooxidans,enhanced the adsorption of bacteria on chalcopyrite surface with light illumination,and thus promoted the bioleaching of chalcopyrite.UV–vis absorbance spectra indicated that Mn^(2+)promoted the response of chalcopyrite to visible light and enhanced the catalytic effect of visible light on chalcopyrite bioleaching.Based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),the relevant sulfur speciation of chalcopyrite before and after bioleaching were analyzed and the results revealed that visible light and Mn^(2+)promoted chalcopyrite bioleaching by reducing the formation of passivation layer(S_(n)^(2-)/S0).Investigation into electrochemical results further indicated that Mn^(2+)and visible light improved the electrochemical activity of chalcopyrite,thus increasing the bioleaching rate.

Chalcocite(bio)hydrometallurgy-current state,mechanism,and future directions:A review

There has been a strong interest in technologies suited for mining and processing of low-grade ores because of the rapid depletion of mineral resources in the world.In most cases,the extraction of copper from such raw materials is achieved by applying the leaching procedures.However,its low extraction efficiency and the long extraction period limit its large-scale commercial applications in copper recovery,even though bioleaching has been widely employed commercially for heap and dump bioleaching of secondary copper sulfide ores.Overcoming the technical challenges requires a better understanding of leaching kinetics and on-site microbial activities.Herein,this paper reviews the current status of main commercial biomining operations around the world,identifies factors that affect chalcocite dissolution both in chemical leaching and bioleaching,summarizes the related kinetic research,and concludes with a discussion of two on-site chalcocite heap leaching practices.Further,the challenges and innovations for the future development of chalcocite hydrometallurgy are presented in the end.