Copper Extraction from Complex Waste Dumps by Biochemical Leaching Method

Abstract

The article presents the research results for the effectiveness of copper extraction from ores of the Satpayev deposit with complex, mixed composition bacterial leaching. Experiments with pre-acidification of copper samples, were performed using biological oxidation by A.Ferrooxidans bacterial culture, adapted strain. Biochemical opening moes of mineral raw materials using A. Ferrooxidans bacteria of a particular strain adapted to the copper waste composition and capable to oxidize sulfide and iron-bearing minerals were worked out. Optimal growth conditions for microorganisms in copper mineral pulp medium were established (temperature, pH, S: L.) The highest leaching efficiency, up to 88.65 %, was observed in experiments with preliminary bio-oxidation of samples by A.Ferrooxidans bacterial culture.

Keywords

• copper dumps
• bio-oxidation
• acidobacillus ferrooxidans bacteria
• leaching