Tank bioleaching of a copper concentrate using the moderately thermophilic microorganisms Sulfobacillus thermosulfidoxidans KMM3 and Sulfobacillus acidophilus KMM26

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/revmetalm.207

Keywords:

Bioleaching, Bioreactor, Copper concentrate, Moderate thermophiles

Abstract


Laboratory scale bioleaching of a copper concentrate was conducted using moderately thermophilic microorganisms to evaluate the technical capabilities as an alternative to the conventional smelting, and also to find the optimum conditions for copper extraction in terms of the pulp density, pH, and grain size of concentrate particles. For this purpose, a set of experiments was carried out in a 5-litre controllable bioreactor using two Sulfobacillus species. The results showed that more than 80% of Cu could be extracted from chalcopyrite concentrate within 12 days. The optimum conditions for Cu extraction were a pulp density of 5% (w/v), an initial pH 1 and a particle size (d80) of 45 µm. The results of this research will contribute to the design of an industrial tank bioleaching plant with an annual capacity of 50000 t cathodic copper by the Iranian Babak Copper Company (IBCCO).

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Published

2021-12-30

How to Cite

Manafi, Z., Kargar, M., & Kafilzadeh, F. (2021). Tank bioleaching of a copper concentrate using the moderately thermophilic microorganisms Sulfobacillus thermosulfidoxidans KMM3 and Sulfobacillus acidophilus KMM26. Revista De Metalurgia, 57(4), e207. https://doi.org/10.3989/revmetalm.207

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