Effect of technological factors on bacterial leaching of low-grade Ni-Cu sulfide ore

The bioleaching of a low grade Ni Cu sulfide ore from Jinchuan Mine with Thiobacillus ferrooxidans (TF5) and Thiobacillus thiooxidans (TT) was investigated. The effect of pH, the initial cell numbers of bacteria, the pulp density and the ratio of TF5 and TT on leaching was described, and the favorable bioleaching conditions for the ore were experimentally confirmed. The aeration leaching, agitation leaching with air bubbling, and column leaching were respectively tested. The highest recovery was achieved in the aeration leaching. After leaching for 20?d with pulp density of 15%, the extractions of Ni, Cu and Co were respectively 95.4%, 48.6% and 82.6%.

Enhanced copper recovery from low grade copper sulfide ores through bioleaching using residues produced by fermentation of agricultural wastes

Effects of residues produced by agricultural wastes fermentation(AWF)on low grade copper sulfide ores bioleaching,copper recovery,and microbial community were investigated.The results indicated that adding appropriate bulk of AWF made contributions to low grade copper sulfide ores bioleaching,which may be mainly realized through reducing the passivation layer formed by Fe3+hydrolysis.Improved copper recovery(78.35%)and bacteria concentration(9.56×10^(7)cells·mL^(−1))were yielded in the presence of 5 g·L^(−1)AWF.The result of 16S rDNA analysis demonstrated that microbial community was differentiated by adding AWF.Bacteria proportion,such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans,Moraxella osloensis,and Lactobacillus acetotolerans changed distinctly.Great difference between samples was showed according to beta diversity index,and the maximum value reached 0.375.Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans accounted for the highest proportion throughout the bioleaching process,and that of sample in the presence of 5 g·L^(−) AWF reached 28.63%.The results should show reference to application of agricultural wastes and low grade copper sulfide ores.