Knowledge Agora



Similar Articles

Title Effect of nutrient concentration, dissolved salts, and mineralogy at high temperature column bioleaching of a pyrrhotite-pyrite secondary ore
ID_Doc 15376
Authors Falagán, C; Dew, DW; Hudson-Edwards, KA
Title Effect of nutrient concentration, dissolved salts, and mineralogy at high temperature column bioleaching of a pyrrhotite-pyrite secondary ore
Year 2024
Published
Abstract Over the past several decades, extensive research has focused on improving bioleaching of different ores, and increasing research on applying bioleaching for the processing of tailings produced from mining operations around the world. As part of the research project Near-zero-waste recycling of low-grade sulfide mining waste for critical-metal, mineral and construction raw-material production in a circular economy (NEMO), we have studied the effect of nutrient availability, the effect of high concentration of dissolved salts (Al and Mg sulfates) on metal (Cu, Co, Mn, Ni, Zn) extraction rates by bioleaching in laboratory column tests at high temperature (48 degrees C and 60 degrees C), using secondary ore from the Sotkamo mine (Terrafame operation, Finland). Metal dissolution rates showed two stages: a rapid first stage, where acid addition and initial irrigation released acid-soluble metal species, and a second stage, with slower rates of metal dissolution by microbial oxidation of residual metal sulfides with Fe(III) as the oxidant. Experiments showed that adequate Fe(II) oxidation rates depended on the addition of salts but not so much as the addition of nutrients (P as phosphate, N as ammonium and K). High dissolved salt concentrations resulted in low redox potentials (745-760 mV vs standard hydrogen electrode), limiting Co dissolution rates. For example, Co extraction yield at 48 C when added salts plus nutrients was 57 %, and without salts (with or without nutrients) similar to 75 %. Other metal dissolution rates were not affected by the composition of the irrigation solution or temperature, e.g. Ni extraction rates were between 88 % and 92 % in all the experiments. This was mostly due to the high metal content as readily soluble phases formed during the first heap leaching as metal dissolution in mine waste (e.g. tailings) highly depends on the metal speciation. Recycling of the leaching solution for irrigation, a common practice in heap bioleaching, affects negatively metal extraction rates, the precise reason for this is still to be determined in further experiments, possible effects including changes in solution chemistry affecting mineral oxidation, precipitation of insoluble salts, or toxicity or inhibition of microbial growth rates limiting microbial activity and mineral leaching.
PDF https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2024.108648

Similar Articles

ID Score Article
14863 Mäkinen, J; Heikola, T; Salo, M; Kinnunen, P The Effects of Milling and pH on Co, Ni, Zn and Cu Bioleaching from Polymetallic Sulfide Concentrate(2021)Minerals, 11, 3
18154 Mäkinen, J; Pietek, G; Miettinen, V; Khoshkhoo, M; Sundkvist, JE; Kinnunen, P Removal of Pyrrhotite from High-Sulphur Tailings Utilising Non-Oxidative H2SO4 Leaching(2022)Minerals, 12.0, 12
14892 Petersen, J From understanding the rate limitations of bioleaching mechanisms to improved bioleach process design(2023)
29789 Roberto, FF; Schippers, A Progress in bioleaching: part B, applications of microbial processes by the minerals industries(2022)Applied Microbiology And Biotechnology, 106.0, 18
8352 Mäkinen, J; Salo, M; Khoshkhoo, M; Sundkvist, JE; Kinnunen, P Bioleaching of cobalt from sulfide mining tailings; a mini-pilot study(2020)
19529 Chero-Osorio, S; Chavez, DM; Vega, A; Morales, A; Gamarra, C; Rodriguez-Reyes, JCF Reutilization of pyrite-rich alkaline leaching tailings as sorbent must consider the interplay of sorption and desorption(2021)
17826 Schueler, TA; Schippers, A; Goldmann, D Bioleaching for metals removal from mine tailings flotation fractions(2024)
17109 Roberts, M; Srivastava, P; Webster, G; Weightman, AJ; Sapsford, DJ Biostimulation of jarosite and iron oxide-bearing mine waste enhances subsequent metal recovery(2023)
24308 Varia, JC; Snellings, R; Hennebel, T Sustainable Metal Recovery from Secondary Resources: Screening and Kinetic Studies Using Analogue Heterotrophic Metabolites(2021)Waste And Biomass Valorization, 12, 5
25410 García, S; Camus, L; Gonzalez-Diaz, E; Collao, R; Townley, B; Parviainen, A; Caraballo, MA The importance of geochemical and mineralogical characterization of fresh Cu-Porphyry mine tailings in mineral processing plants to optimize their revalorization potential(2024)
Scroll