Abstract.In the present study lateritic nickel ore was used for bacterial leaching using a mixed consortium of mesophilic acidophiles. The microorganisms were adapted to 1 gram nickel/L prior to leaching. For the experiments, lateritic ore in different forms such as raw, roasted, roasted ore presoaked in dilute sulphuric acid and palletized pretreated roasted (400 ℃ and 600 ℃) ore were taken. The leaching experiments were conducted in 9 K+ with 40 L capacity bioreactor
using 10% (v/v) inoculum concentration at 10% (w/v) pulp density. The aeration was maintained at 2-3 L/min and the speed of agitator and temperature at 400-500 rpm and 35 ℃. The maximum extraction of nickel and cobalt was observed with pretreated ore (600 ℃) at 10% pulp density (77.23% and 73.22%) respectively within 31 days at pH 1.5 and least extraction in case of raw ore i.e., 9.47% nickel and 41.12% cobalt respectively.
Valix M, Tang JY, Malik R, Minerals Engineering, 14, 499-5-5 (2001)
Valix M, Usai F, Malik V, Minerals Engineering, 14, 197, 2000
Valix M, Usai F, Malik V, Minerals Engineering,, 14, 205, 2000
Rossi G, Eds, Murr L, Torma A, Brierley J, New York: Academic Press, 297-318 (1979)
Sukla LB, Kar RN, Panchanadikar VV, In: Recent trends in biotechnology, edited by Ayyana C, Tata McGraw Hill Publishing Co., New Delhi., 128-131 (1993)
Alibhai K, Leak D, Dudeney AWL, Agatzian S, In Proceedings of Mineral Processing, Engineering Foundation of USA, Santa Barbara, July, 191-204 (1992)
Rawlings DE, (ed), Biomining, Springer, Berlin (1997)
Dew DE, Buren VC, McKewan K, Bowker C, In: Amils, Ballester R, A (eds). Biohydrometallurgy and the environment toward the mining of the 21st century, part A, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 229 (1999)
Oolman T, Biohydrometallurgical technologies, Torma AE, Wiley JE, Lakshmanan VI Eds., The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 2, 401-415 (1993)
Mohapatra S, Bohidar S, Pradhan N, Kar RN, Sukla LB, Hydrometallurgy, 85, 1, 2007
Sukla LB, Das RP, Transactions of the Institute of Mineral and Metallurgy. Sect. C, C53-55 (1986)
Olanipekun EO, International Journal of Mineral Processing, 60, 9, 2000
Sukla LB, Das RP, Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 40, 351, 1987