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Effect of anions on selective solubilization of zinc and copper in bacterial leaching of sulfide ores
Author(s) -
Harahuc Lesia,
Lizama Hector M.,
Suzuki Isamu
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0290(20000720)69:2<196::aid-bit8>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - sphalerite , chalcopyrite , chemistry , zinc , leaching (pedology) , copper , zinc sulfide , sulfide , pyrite , thiobacillus , chloride , inorganic chemistry , sulfur , copper sulfide , phosphate , nuclear chemistry , mineralogy , geology , organic chemistry , soil science , soil water
Bacterial leaching of sulfide ores using Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Thiobacillus thiooxidans , or a combination of the two was studied at various concentrations of specific anions. Selective zinc and copper solubilization was obtained by inhibiting iron oxidation without affecting sulfur/sulfide oxidation. Phosphate reduced iron solubilization from a pyrite (FeS 2 )–sphalerite (ZnS) mixture without significantly affecting zinc solubilization. Copper leaching from a chalcopyrite (CuFeS 2 )–sphalerite mixture was stimulated by phosphate, whereas chloride accelerated zinc extraction. In a complex sulfide ore containing pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite, both phosphate and chloride reduced iron solubilization and increased copper extraction, whereas only chloride stimulated zinc extraction. Maximum leaching obtained was 100% zinc and 50% copper. Time‐course studies of copper and zinc solubilization suggest the possibility of selective metal recovery following treatment with specific anions. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 69: 196–203, 2000.