WO2002081761A2 - Bioleaching of a sulphide concentrate in a saline solution - Google Patents

Bioleaching of a sulphide concentrate in a saline solution Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002081761A2
WO2002081761A2 PCT/ZA2002/000062 ZA0200062W WO02081761A2 WO 2002081761 A2 WO2002081761 A2 WO 2002081761A2 ZA 0200062 W ZA0200062 W ZA 0200062W WO 02081761 A2 WO02081761 A2 WO 02081761A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bioleaching
saline solution
ppm
tank
solution
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2002/000062
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2002081761A3 (en
Inventor
David William Dew
Chris Du Plessis
Original Assignee
Billiton Sa Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Billiton Sa Limited filed Critical Billiton Sa Limited
Priority to AU2002254782A priority Critical patent/AU2002254782B2/en
Publication of WO2002081761A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002081761A2/en
Publication of WO2002081761A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002081761A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
    • C22B3/18—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes with the aid of microorganisms or enzymes, e.g. bacteria or algae
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
    • Y02P10/20—Recycling

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the bioleaching of a sulphide concentrate or a sulphide mineral ore in a saline solution, to recover contained metals.
  • Thermophile archaea such as Sulfolobus metallicus or other Sulfolobus-Wke archaea are particularly sensitive to chloride in solution. Microbial growth is reported to be prevented at concentrations of greater than 1000 ppm Cl " .
  • the invention provides a method of treating a sulphide mineral which includes the step of bioleaching the mineral in a saline solution using at least one salt tolerant bacterium.
  • the bacterium is selected from the microorganisms deposited at the German Culture Collection under the respective accession Nos. DSM 14175 and DSM 14174, and a salt tolerant strain of Thiobacillus prosperus.
  • the bacterium may include at least one of Acidihalobacter ferrooxidans and Acidihalobacter aeolicus.
  • the salt tolerant strain of Thiobacillus prosperus may be a naturally occurring strain extracted from a natural or man made environment with appropriate environmental characteristics eg. a thermal spring with a pH of less than 4 and with a chloride content greater than 5000 ppm and, preferably, in excess of 10000 ppm, or for example from sea water with a high ferrous iron content and with a reduced pH of less than 3 and 4, or it may be adapted for the purpose.
  • a thermal spring with a pH of less than 4 and with a chloride content greater than 5000 ppm and, preferably, in excess of 10000 ppm, or for example from sea water with a high ferrous iron content and with a reduced pH of less than 3 and 4, or it may be adapted for the purpose.
  • the chloride content in the solution may be in excess of 5 000 ppm, and at least 10 000 ppm and, without being limiting, as high as 30 000 ppm or 35000 ppm or more.
  • the temperature at which bioleaching takes place may lie in excess thereof in the range of from 10°C to 45°C and may be determined at least according to circumstances.
  • the temperature is in the range of from 10°C to 25°C.
  • tank leaching for example in a stirred reactor, a higher temperature range applies and the temperature may be above 25°C and preferably lies in the range of from 35°C to 45°C.
  • Nutrients may be added to the saline solution to maintain cell growth.
  • a carbonaceous material e.g. carbon dioxide or carbonate minerals, which is added in a suitable manner to the saline solution.
  • the carbonaceous material may be added to the tank or to a concentrate feed to the tank.
  • the nutrients may include a yeast extract.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the method of the invention applied to the tank leaching of sulphide concentrates
  • Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the method of the invention as used in a heap leaching operation.
  • FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the method of the invention as used in a tank leaching operation.
  • the drawing illustrates a bioreactor 10, an agitator or mixer 12, an air supply source 14, an air disperser 16 inside the tank of the reactor 10, and a control valve 18 which is used to control the supply of air from the source 14 to the disperser 16.
  • a carbon dioxide supply source 20 is connected via a control valve 22 to a supply line extending from the valve 18 to the air disperser 16.
  • Sulphide concentrate is supplied as a slurry from a storage tank 26 to the bioreactor 10.
  • the slurry is diluted with a saline solution drawn from a supply source 28.
  • the saline solution is added directly to the concentrate storage tank 26, as is indicated by means of a dotted line, or alternatively is mixed with the concentrate feed slurry in a supply line 30 to the bioreactor.
  • Salt tolerant bacteria are inoculated into the bioreactor 10 directly or, as is shown in Figure 1 , by introducing the bacteria into the saline solution which is added to the concentrate.
  • Use is made of the bacteria deposited at the German Culture Collection under the respective accession Nos DSM 14175 and DSM 14174 or a salt tolerant strain of Thiobacillus prosperus which is naturally occurring and extracted for example from sea water with a high ferrous iron content and with a reduced pH of between 3 and 4 or a strain of Thiobacillus prosperus which is adapted for the purpose.
  • the bacterium deposited under accession No. DSM 14175 is Acidihalobacter ferrooxidans and the bacterium deposited under accession No. DSM 14174 is Acidihalobacter aeolicus.
  • the source 28 also contains nutrients for cell growth.
  • the nutrients may be carbonate minerals and a yeast extract.
  • the salt content in the saline solution may lie in the range of from 10 000 ppm to 35000 ppm Cl " . This depends on the salt tolerance capability of the bacterium or bacteria which are used in the bioleaching operation. Depending on the salt tolerance of the bacteria the salt content may be in excess of 35000 ppm Cl " .
  • Bioreactor 10 Cell growth occurs in the bioreactor 10 as concentrate, saline solution and nutrients are supplied to the bioreactor.
  • the bioleaching process can be enhanced by the judicious addition of air and carbon dioxide from the sources 14 and 20.
  • Figure 2 illustrates the method of the invention as applied to the treatment of a mineral sulphide ore in a heap leaching operation.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a heap 40 of sulphide mineral ore positioned over a plurality of air dispersion pipes 42 which are supplied with air from a source 44.
  • Heap leaching is effected by irrigation with the saline return solution and nutrients, from storage tanks or ponds 46, using an overhead pipe dispersion arrangement 48.
  • Pregnant leach solution is collected from the base of the heap and is directed to a pond 50.
  • the solution in the pond is treated (52) to recover dissolved metals and spent solution 54, devoid of leached metals, is returned to the saline return storage tanks or ponds 46.
  • the bacterium of an adapted strain of Thiobacillus prosperus which is salt tolerant, as described hereinbefore, is inoculated in the ore which is placed on the heap or into the saline solution which is returned to the heap e.g. into the storage tanks or ponds 46.
  • the solution which is contained in the tanks or ponds 46 may have a salt content of from 10 000 ppm to 35 000 ppm or more. Nutrients are added to the solution as required for optimising cell growth.
  • a principal benefit of the invention is that the salt tolerant bacterium or bacteria, described hereinbefore, enable bioleaching to take place in a saline solution containing from 10 000 ppm Cl " up to at least 35 000 ppm Cl " .
  • This substantially reduces or even eliminates the need for using fresh water. Consequently bioleaching, either by treatment of mineral sulphide concentrates in stirred reactors, or mineral sulphide ores in heaps, may be undertaken in arid regions where fresh water supplies are limited and only saline water is available for bioleaching.
  • a further benefit of the invention is that the presence of chloride in the leaching phase may improve metal recovery by enhancing the rate and extent of mineral leaching.
  • the presence of chloride has been shown to enhance the rate and extent of chalcopyrite leaching.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
  • Purification Treatments By Anaerobic Or Anaerobic And Aerobic Bacteria Or Animals (AREA)
  • Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Abstract

A method of treating a sulphide mineral which includes the step of bioleaching the mineral in a saline solution using at least one salt tolerant bacterium. The salt content of the solution may lie in the range of 10000 to 35000 ppm Cl-. Suitable bacteria include a salt tolerant strain of Thiobacillus prosperus, Acidhalobacter ferrooxidans and Acidhalobacter aeolicus.

Description

BIOLEACHING OF A SULPHIDE CONCENTRATE IN A SALINE SOLUTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the bioleaching of a sulphide concentrate or a sulphide mineral ore in a saline solution, to recover contained metals.
Commercial bioleach operations require the use of water with a chloride content of less than 5000 ppm Cl" for heap leaching, and less than 1000 ppm Cl" in tank leaching. The use of water with a low chloride content is necessary because the mesophile or moderate thermophile bacteria used, such as Thiobacillus thiooxidans, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Sulfobacillus strains, are not tolerant to high chloride concentrations. At chloride concentrations above 5000 ppm growth of the mesophile bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is inhibited and attempts to adapt the bacterium to chloride have proved unsuccessful. (1)
Thermophile archaea such as Sulfolobus metallicus or other Sulfolobus-Wke archaea are particularly sensitive to chloride in solution. Microbial growth is reported to be prevented at concentrations of greater than 1000 ppm Cl".
The limited tolerance to salt of bacteria and archaea currency used In commercial bioleaching operations means that large volumes of fresh water are required in the mineral processing operations. Many ore deposits are however situated in arid areas in which fresh water supplies are limited. The cost and availability of fresh water can therefore inhibit the recovery of the desired metals. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a method of treating a sulphide mineral which includes the step of bioleaching the mineral in a saline solution using at least one salt tolerant bacterium.
Preferably the bacterium is selected from the microorganisms deposited at the German Culture Collection under the respective accession Nos. DSM 14175 and DSM 14174, and a salt tolerant strain of Thiobacillus prosperus.
The bacterium may include at least one of Acidihalobacter ferrooxidans and Acidihalobacter aeolicus.
The salt tolerant strain of Thiobacillus prosperus may be a naturally occurring strain extracted from a natural or man made environment with appropriate environmental characteristics eg. a thermal spring with a pH of less than 4 and with a chloride content greater than 5000 ppm and, preferably, in excess of 10000 ppm, or for example from sea water with a high ferrous iron content and with a reduced pH of less than 3 and 4, or it may be adapted for the purpose.
The chloride content in the solution may be in excess of 5 000 ppm, and at least 10 000 ppm and, without being limiting, as high as 30 000 ppm or 35000 ppm or more.
The temperature at which bioleaching takes place may lie in excess thereof in the range of from 10°C to 45°C and may be determined at least according to circumstances.
Preferably though, when the method of the invention is used in a heap leaching situation, the temperature is in the range of from 10°C to 25°C. On the other hand, in tank leaching, for example in a stirred reactor, a higher temperature range applies and the temperature may be above 25°C and preferably lies in the range of from 35°C to 45°C.
Nutrients may be added to the saline solution to maintain cell growth. In this regard use may be made of a carbonaceous material, e.g. carbon dioxide or carbonate minerals, which is added in a suitable manner to the saline solution. For example in tank leaching the carbonaceous material may be added to the tank or to a concentrate feed to the tank.
The nutrients may include a yeast extract.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the method of the invention applied to the tank leaching of sulphide concentrates, and Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the method of the invention as used in a heap leaching operation.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the method of the invention as used in a tank leaching operation. The drawing illustrates a bioreactor 10, an agitator or mixer 12, an air supply source 14, an air disperser 16 inside the tank of the reactor 10, and a control valve 18 which is used to control the supply of air from the source 14 to the disperser 16.
A carbon dioxide supply source 20 is connected via a control valve 22 to a supply line extending from the valve 18 to the air disperser 16.
Sulphide concentrate is supplied as a slurry from a storage tank 26 to the bioreactor 10. The slurry is diluted with a saline solution drawn from a supply source 28. The saline solution is added directly to the concentrate storage tank 26, as is indicated by means of a dotted line, or alternatively is mixed with the concentrate feed slurry in a supply line 30 to the bioreactor.
Salt tolerant bacteria are inoculated into the bioreactor 10 directly or, as is shown in Figure 1 , by introducing the bacteria into the saline solution which is added to the concentrate. Use is made of the bacteria deposited at the German Culture Collection under the respective accession Nos DSM 14175 and DSM 14174 or a salt tolerant strain of Thiobacillus prosperus which is naturally occurring and extracted for example from sea water with a high ferrous iron content and with a reduced pH of between 3 and 4 or a strain of Thiobacillus prosperus which is adapted for the purpose.
The bacterium deposited under accession No. DSM 14175 is Acidihalobacter ferrooxidans and the bacterium deposited under accession No. DSM 14174 is Acidihalobacter aeolicus. The source 28 also contains nutrients for cell growth. The nutrients may be carbonate minerals and a yeast extract.
The salt content in the saline solution may lie in the range of from 10 000 ppm to 35000 ppm Cl". This depends on the salt tolerance capability of the bacterium or bacteria which are used in the bioleaching operation. Depending on the salt tolerance of the bacteria the salt content may be in excess of 35000 ppm Cl".
Cell growth occurs in the bioreactor 10 as concentrate, saline solution and nutrients are supplied to the bioreactor. The bioleaching process can be enhanced by the judicious addition of air and carbon dioxide from the sources 14 and 20.
Mineral treatment steps which are carried out prior to the bioleaching phase and subsequently thereto to recover the metal content from the leach solution, are not shown for these aspects are known in the art.
Figure 2 illustrates the method of the invention as applied to the treatment of a mineral sulphide ore in a heap leaching operation.
Figure 2 illustrates a heap 40 of sulphide mineral ore positioned over a plurality of air dispersion pipes 42 which are supplied with air from a source 44.
Heap leaching is effected by irrigation with the saline return solution and nutrients, from storage tanks or ponds 46, using an overhead pipe dispersion arrangement 48.
Pregnant leach solution is collected from the base of the heap and is directed to a pond 50. The solution in the pond is treated (52) to recover dissolved metals and spent solution 54, devoid of leached metals, is returned to the saline return storage tanks or ponds 46.
The bacterium of an adapted strain of Thiobacillus prosperus which is salt tolerant, as described hereinbefore, is inoculated in the ore which is placed on the heap or into the saline solution which is returned to the heap e.g. into the storage tanks or ponds 46.
The solution which is contained in the tanks or ponds 46 may have a salt content of from 10 000 ppm to 35 000 ppm or more. Nutrients are added to the solution as required for optimising cell growth.
A principal benefit of the invention is that the salt tolerant bacterium or bacteria, described hereinbefore, enable bioleaching to take place in a saline solution containing from 10 000 ppm Cl" up to at least 35 000 ppm Cl". This substantially reduces or even eliminates the need for using fresh water. Consequently bioleaching, either by treatment of mineral sulphide concentrates in stirred reactors, or mineral sulphide ores in heaps, may be undertaken in arid regions where fresh water supplies are limited and only saline water is available for bioleaching.
A further benefit of the invention is that the presence of chloride in the leaching phase may improve metal recovery by enhancing the rate and extent of mineral leaching. For example in chemical leaching the presence of chloride has been shown to enhance the rate and extent of chalcopyrite leaching.

Claims

1. A method of treating a sulphide mineral which includes the step of bioleaching the mineral in a saline solution using at least one salt tolerant bacterium.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bacterium is selected from the microorganisms deposited at the German Culture Collection under the respective accession Nos. DSM 14175 and DSM 14174, and a salt tolerant strain of Thiobacillus prosperus.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bacterium includes at least one of Acidihalobacter ferrooxidans and Acidihalobacter aeolicus.
4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the salt tolerance strain of Thiobacillus properus is a naturally occurring strain, or is adapted for the purpose.
5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the chloride content in the solution is in excess of 5000 ppm.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the chloride content in the solution is in excess of 10000 ppm.
7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the bioleaching takes place at a temperature in the range of from 10°C to 45°C.
8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, applied in a heap leaching situation, wherein the bioleaching takes place at a temperature in the range of from 10°C to 25°C.
9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 applied in a tank leaching situation, wherein the bioleaching takes place at a temperature above 25°C.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the bioleaching takes place at a temperature in the range of from 35°C to 45°C.
11. A method according to claim 8 wherein the bacteria is inoculated in ore which is placed on the heap, or into a saline solution which is used to irrigate the heap.
12. A method according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the tank includes an agitator.
13. A method according to claim 9, 10 or 12 wherein the bacteria is inoculated directly into the tank, or is added to the saline solution.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the saline solution is added to, or mixed with, a concentrate of the sulphide mineral which is then supplied to the tank.
PCT/ZA2002/000062 2001-04-10 2002-04-09 Bioleaching of a sulphide concentrate in a saline solution WO2002081761A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002254782A AU2002254782B2 (en) 2001-04-10 2002-04-09 Bioleaching of a sulphide concentrate in a saline solution

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA200102943 2001-04-10
ZA2001/2943 2001-04-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002081761A2 true WO2002081761A2 (en) 2002-10-17
WO2002081761A3 WO2002081761A3 (en) 2004-02-12

Family

ID=25589132

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ZA2002/000062 WO2002081761A2 (en) 2001-04-10 2002-04-09 Bioleaching of a sulphide concentrate in a saline solution

Country Status (4)

Country Link
AR (2) AR033138A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002254782B2 (en)
PE (1) PE20021119A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2002081761A2 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008036985A3 (en) * 2005-09-15 2008-06-26 Bhp Billiton Sa Ltd Bioleaching process control in a stirred tank
WO2010009481A3 (en) * 2008-06-29 2010-07-22 Bhp Billiton Sa Limited A method of treating a sulphide mineral
US8497113B2 (en) 2006-02-06 2013-07-30 Jx Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation Chloride ion-resistant sulfur-oxidizing bacteria
CN104404252A (en) * 2014-12-19 2015-03-11 中南大学 Method for bacterial leaching of sulfide ores by seawater
EP3184657A4 (en) * 2014-08-22 2018-03-14 Compañía Minera Zaldivar Limitada Copper sulphide leaching inferrous chloride medium with bacteria

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DD278574A1 (en) * 1988-12-27 1990-05-09 Akad Wissenschaften Ddr PROCESS FOR MICROBIAL REMOVAL OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
EP0540127A1 (en) * 1991-10-31 1993-05-05 Gist-Brocades N.V. Haloalkaliphilic Microorganisms
US5231018A (en) * 1990-10-12 1993-07-27 The Israel Electric Corporation, Ltd. Extraction of metal oxides from coal fly ash by microorganisms and a new microorganism useful therefor
US5278069A (en) * 1992-02-14 1994-01-11 The Israel Electric Corporation Ltd. Bioleaching method for the extraction of metals from coal fly ash using thiobacillus

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2063687A1 (en) * 1992-03-20 1993-09-21 Raphael Fass Bioleaching method for the extraction of metals from coal fly ash using thiobacillus

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DD278574A1 (en) * 1988-12-27 1990-05-09 Akad Wissenschaften Ddr PROCESS FOR MICROBIAL REMOVAL OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
US5231018A (en) * 1990-10-12 1993-07-27 The Israel Electric Corporation, Ltd. Extraction of metal oxides from coal fly ash by microorganisms and a new microorganism useful therefor
EP0540127A1 (en) * 1991-10-31 1993-05-05 Gist-Brocades N.V. Haloalkaliphilic Microorganisms
US5278069A (en) * 1992-02-14 1994-01-11 The Israel Electric Corporation Ltd. Bioleaching method for the extraction of metals from coal fly ash using thiobacillus

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE WPI Section Ch, Week 199350 Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; Class C04, AN 1993-395807 XP002219512 & CA 2 063 687 A (ISRAEL ELECTRIC CORP LTD), 21 September 1993 (1993-09-21) *
KAMIMURA K. ET AL.: "Some properties of a novel obligately autotrophic iron-oxidizing bacterium isolated from seawater" HYDROMETALLURGY, vol. 59, no. 2-3, February 2001 (2001-02), pages 373-381, XP002219511 *

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008036985A3 (en) * 2005-09-15 2008-06-26 Bhp Billiton Sa Ltd Bioleaching process control in a stirred tank
EA013851B1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2010-08-30 Би Эйч Пи Биллитон Са Лимитед Bioleaching process control
AP2270A (en) * 2005-09-15 2011-08-09 Bhp Billiton Sa Ltd Bioleaching process control.
US8497113B2 (en) 2006-02-06 2013-07-30 Jx Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation Chloride ion-resistant sulfur-oxidizing bacteria
US8597933B2 (en) 2008-06-29 2013-12-03 Bhp Billiton Sa Limited Method of treating a sulphide mineral
CN102165079A (en) * 2008-06-29 2011-08-24 Bhp比尔顿有限公司 A method of treating a sulphide mineral
WO2010009481A3 (en) * 2008-06-29 2010-07-22 Bhp Billiton Sa Limited A method of treating a sulphide mineral
AU2009270677B2 (en) * 2008-06-29 2014-04-03 Consolidated Nominees (Pty) Ltd A method of treating a sulphide mineral
AU2009270677C1 (en) * 2008-06-29 2014-08-21 Consolidated Nominees (Pty) Ltd A method of treating a sulphide mineral
CN102165079B (en) * 2008-06-29 2017-08-08 合并指定所有权人有限公司 The method for handling sulfide mineral
EP3184657A4 (en) * 2014-08-22 2018-03-14 Compañía Minera Zaldivar Limitada Copper sulphide leaching inferrous chloride medium with bacteria
CN104404252A (en) * 2014-12-19 2015-03-11 中南大学 Method for bacterial leaching of sulfide ores by seawater
CN104404252B (en) * 2014-12-19 2016-07-27 中南大学 A kind of method utilizing sea water to carry out Bioleaching sulphide ore

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AR066378A2 (en) 2009-08-12
PE20021119A1 (en) 2002-12-11
WO2002081761A3 (en) 2004-02-12
AR033138A1 (en) 2003-12-03
AU2002254782B2 (en) 2008-02-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2352770C (en) High temperature heap bioleaching process
AU600071B2 (en) Thermophilic microbial treatment of precious metal ores
AU722144B2 (en) Method and apparatus for biocatalyzed anaerobic oxidation of metal sulfides
Dew et al. The BIOX® process for biooxidation of gold-bearing ores or concentrates
JP4260154B2 (en) Welenen DSM 16786 strain, which is a bacterium, a method for using the bacterium for leaching ores or concentrates composed of metal sulfide minerals, and a leaching process using the bacterium or a mixed bacterium containing the bacterium
RU2151208C1 (en) Heap ore biooxidation process
US5449397A (en) Biocatalyzed leaching of precious metal values
RU2188243C2 (en) Integrated biological oxidation method for leaching sulfide ores involving tank/heap technique
EP0808910B1 (en) Method for the generation and use of ferric ions produced by bacteria
EP2066819B1 (en) Recovery of molybdenum from molybdenum bearing sulfide materials by bioleaching in the presence of iron
Brierley et al. Present and future commercial applications of biohydrometallurgy
Olson et al. Microbiological metal transformations: biotechnological applications and potential
Brierley Acdidophilic thermophilic archaebacteria: Potential application for metals recovery
US20150027901A1 (en) Biomining enhancement method
AU2013405779B2 (en) Bacterial strain, Cutipay, isolated from the Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans species, bacterial inoculum comprising same, and method for the bioleaching of minerals where said bacterial inoculum is inoculated
AU2002254782B2 (en) Bioleaching of a sulphide concentrate in a saline solution
AU2002254782A1 (en) Bioleaching of a sulphide concentrate in a saline solution
WO2000037690A1 (en) Silver-catalyzed bio-leaching process for copper extraction from chalcopyrite heap
Johansson et al. Use of the GEOCOAT™ process for the recovery of copper from chalcopyrite
AU700356B2 (en) Method and apparatus for extracting precious metals from their ores and the product thereof
ZA200305071B (en) Bioleaching of a sulphine concentrate in a saline solution.
Torma et al. Bioliberation of gold
Natarajan Biotechnology in gold processing
Ramírez et al. Parameters Involved in Biotreatment of Solid Wastes Containing Metals
Sharma Bioleaching and Biomining: Concept, Applications and Limitations

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PH PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2003/05071

Country of ref document: ZA

Ref document number: 200305071

Country of ref document: ZA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2002254782

Country of ref document: AU

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP