Bioleaching involves the use of iron and sulfur oxidizing microorganisms to catalyze the dissolution of valuable metals. In this investigation, lagoon material contains 0.39% Cu, in which the major copper bearing mineral is chalcopyrite associated with other minerals present as minor phase. Leaching experiments were carried out using an adapted strain of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans with various parameters such as presence/absence of iron, pH, pulp density and temperature. Base of the medium was 9 K (without ferrous) Bio-dissolution of copper was found to be maximum, i.e., 80.9% with 9 K+ (with ferrous) at pH-2.0, 10% pulp-density and 35 oC within an incubation period of 30 days.
Deveci H, Akcil A, Alp I, Materials Science and Technology 2003 Symposium: Process Control and Optimization in Ferrous and Non Ferrous Industry, Chicago, USA, 9-12 November, 2003
Carranza F, Iglesias N, Romero R, Palencia I, Fems Microbiol. Rev., 11, 129, 1993
Silverman MP, Lundgren DG, J. Bacteriol., 77, 642, 1959
Sukla LB, Pradhan D, Pal S, Das T, Kar RN, Roy Chaudhry G, Proceedings of National Seminar on Low Grade Minerals-Challenges & opportunities, India. pp. 1-8, 2005