Column Bioleaching of Fluoride-Containing Secondary Copper Sulfide Ores: Experiments With Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans

JOGMEC has been carrying out the study on primary copper sulfide ores leaching for recovering copper economically and efficiently by heap leaching. In our study, we have been using the primary copper sulfide ore produced in an IOCG deposit. The ore is characterized by high iron content and high acid consumption in leaching. For the optimization of the leaching, the conditions such as ore size, agglomeration, pH and irrigation rate of leaching solution were examined with column leach tests. The best result was over 80 % extraction of copper in 150 days with leaching solution of 1 M sulfuric acid and temperature of 45 °C. In this experiment, the fines of the ore sample were removed before putting it into the column to keep the permeability of the ore bed. In these column leach tests, the Fe2+/total-Fe ratio of PLS decreased gradually by the activity of naturally grown iron-oxidizing bacteria. The bacteria in PLS, which have the ability of iron-oxidizing and sulfur-oxidizing, were identified by next-generation sequencing as Acidithiobacillus caldus and Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans. We also carried out bench-scale tests with about 200 tons of the primary copper sulfide ores. Iron-oxidizing and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were identified in the leaching solution as same with column leach tests. It is considered that the bacteria worked in the leaching solution and on the surface of the ores.

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Acidophiles and its Use in Mineral Biomining with Emphasis on China

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.926-930.4201 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 926-930 ◽

pp. 4201-4204

Author(s):

Bo Wei Chen ◽

Jian Kang Wen ◽

Guo Cheng Yao

Keyword(s):

Copper Sulfide ◽

Sulfide Ores ◽

Gold Ores ◽

Refractory Gold Ores ◽

Refractory Gold ◽

Heap Bioleaching

Acidophiles have been widely used in heap and dump bioleaching of secondary copper sulfide ores and biooxidation of refractory gold ores. 22 genera of acidophiles have been found in biomining environments. This paper gives a preliminary introduction to the application of mineral biomining in China. Challenges and technical trends for heap bioleaching of primary copper sulfide ores, purification of bioleaching solution of polymetallic sulfide ores and biooxidation of carbonaceous refractory gold ores are also recommended.

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The effects of fluoride and aluminum ions on ferrous-iron oxidation and copper sulfide bioleaching with Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans

Biochemical Engineering Journal ◽

10.1016/j.bej.2012.01.003 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 62 ◽

pp. 48-55 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Tácia C. Veloso ◽

Lázaro C. Sicupira ◽

Isabel C.B. Rodrigues ◽

Larissa A.M. Silva ◽

Versiane A. Leão

Keyword(s):

Copper Sulfide ◽

Ferrous Iron ◽

Iron Oxidation ◽

Sulfobacillus Thermosulfidooxidans ◽

Ferrous Iron Oxidation ◽

Aluminum Ions

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Total-reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry as a tool for the direct elemental analysis of ores: Application to iron, manganese, ferromanganese, nickel-copper sulfide ores and ferromanganese nodules

Spectrochimica Acta Part B Atomic Spectroscopy ◽

10.1016/j.sab.2020.105856 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 168 ◽

pp. 105856 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Galina V. Pashkova ◽

Victor M. Chubarov ◽

Timur F. Akhmetzhanov ◽

Alena N. Zhilicheva ◽

Maria M. Mukhamedova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elemental Analysis ◽

Copper Sulfide ◽

Total Reflection ◽

Fluorescence Spectrometry ◽

Sulfide Ores ◽

Ferromanganese Nodules ◽

X Ray ◽

Nickel Copper ◽

Iron Manganese

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A model for the bacterial leaching of copper sulfide ores in pilot-scale columns

International Journal of Mineral Processing ◽

10.1016/0301-7516(91)90029-i ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 31 (3-4) ◽

pp. 247-264 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Heinz J. Neuburg ◽

Jorge A. Castillo ◽

Miguel N. Herrera ◽

Jacques V. Wiertz ◽

Tomás Vargas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Copper Sulfide ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Sulfide Ores ◽

Bacterial Leaching

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Effects of Pyrite Texture on Flotation Performance of Copper Sulfide Ores

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min11111218 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 1218

Author(s):

İlkay B. Can ◽

Seda Özçelik ◽

Zafir Ekmekçi

Keyword(s):

Copper Sulfide ◽

Surface Cleaning ◽

Copper Recovery ◽

Sulfide Ores ◽

Copper Ore ◽

Ore Deposit ◽

Framboidal Pyrite ◽

Process Plant ◽

Flotation Performance ◽

Flotation Behavior

Pyrite particles, having framboidal/altered texture, are known to significantly affect pulp chemistry and adversely affect flotation performance. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to demonstrate influence of pyrite mineralogy on the flotation of copper (sulphidic) ores and develop alternative conditions to improve the performance. Two copper ore samples (Ore A and Ore B) having different textural/modal mineralogy and flotation characteristics were taken from different zones of the same ore deposit. Ore B contained framboidal pyrite and altered pyrite/marcasite, which is considered the main reason for the low flotation performance in both copper and pyrite flotation sections of the process plant. Flotation tests were conducted under different conditions using the two ore samples and a 50:50 blend. The results showed that Ore A could be concentrated under the base conditions, as applied in the existing flotation plant. On the other hand, Ore B did not respond to the base conditions and a copper recovery of only 5% could be obtained. Besides, blending Ore B with Ore A negatively affected the flotation behavior of Ore A. An alternative flotation chemistry was applied on Ore B using Na2S for surface cleaning and Na-Metabisulfite (MBS) for pyrite depression in the copper flotation stage. The surface cleaning reduced the rate of oxidation of the framboidal pyrite in Ore B. As a result, the copper recovery could be increased to 52% Cu for Ore B, and 65% for the mixed ore sample.

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