Paper Titles
Biooxidation and Cyanidation for Gold and Silver Recovery from Acid Mine Drainage Generating Tailings (Ticapampa, Peru)
p.91
A View on the Organic Matter and Metalloporphyrins Biodegradation as Characteristic Components of Black Shale Ores
p.95
Microbial Leaching of Metals from Printed Circuit Boards
p.99
Bioleaching of a Rich-In-Carbonates Copper Ore at Alkaline pH
p.103
Cobalt and Nickel Recoveries from Laterite Tailings by Organic and Inorganic Bioacids
p.107
Bioleaching of a High Iron Content Kaolin by Aspergillus niger: The Effects of Organic Acids Biosynthesis
p.111
Optimization of Kaolin Bioleaching by Aspergillus niger
p.115
Application of Mesophilic Mixed Micro-Organisms for Recovery of Valuable Metals from Spent Refinery Catalysts
p.119
Biological Purification of Silicate Minerals
p.126

Cobalt and Nickel Recoveries from Laterite Tailings by Organic and Inorganic Bioacids

Article Preview

Abstract:

Cuban serpentines are known as one of the richest deposits of Ni and Co in the world. These ores are usually treated by pyrometallurgy or by hydrometallurgy. These processes generate huge volumes of mining residues, which still contains high amounts of Ni (0.25 %) and Co (0.09 %). Since metals are partially oxidized, the chances to use sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans) which are able to generate sulfuric acid to leach the residues from Caron process have been evaluated. Thus, in this work, inorganic and organic acids produced in cultures with A. niger or A. thiooxidans respectively were used to study the extraction of Co and Ni from laterite tailings. The results were compared with those obtained in leaching experiments with direct inoculation of those microorganisms. 7 and 16 % of Ni and Co were leached after 3 days using A. niger and sucrose as carbon source. In stage batch one using A. thiooxidans and elemental sulfur as energy source higher percentages of metal solubilization were reached after 15 days. In stage batch two experiments were carried out using inorganic and/or organic bioacids. Metal recoveries in stage batch two using sulfuric bioacid were higher (79 % Ni and 58 % Co) than those obtained with citric bioacid (2.4 % Ni, and 38% Co). However metal recoveries using chemical leaching with citric acid were much higher (80.4 % Ni and 50 % Co using 0.5 M citric acid). Since the mineralogy composition of raw material is a parameter very important to select the leaching agent of oxide ore, the leaching of residue nickel-ferrous of the Caron process with bio-sulfuric acid produced in A. thiooxidans cultures could be an attractive alternative in the development of a sustainable technology in Cuban mining-metallurgy industry.

You might also be interested in these eBooks
Biohydrometallurgy: From the Single Cell to the Environment View Preview

Info:

Periodical:

Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 20-21)

Pages:

107-110

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.20-21.107

Citation:

Cite this paper

Online since:

July 2007

Authors:

Orquidea Coto, Federico Galizia, Ernesto González, Ianeya Hernández, Jeannette Marrero, Edgardo R. Donati

Keywords:

Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, Aspergillus niger, Cobalt Leaching, Laterite Tailings, Nickel Leaching

Export:

RIS, BibTeX

Price:

Permissions CCC:

Request Permissions

Permissions PLS:

Request Permissions

Сopyright:

© 2007 Trans Tech Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Share:

Citation:

References

[1] K. Bosecker, in: Fundamental and Applied Biohydrometallurgy, edited by R.W. Lawrence, R.M.R. Branion, H.G. Ebner, Elsevier, Amsterdam (1986), p.367.

Google Scholar

[2] W. Burgstaller and F. Schinner: J. Biotechnol Vol 27 (1993), 91.

Google Scholar

[3] K. Bosecker, in: Biohydrometallurgy, edited by J. Sally, R.G.L. McCready, P.L. Wichlacz, CANMET, Ottawa (1989), p.15.

Google Scholar

[4] O. Coto, D. Gutierrez, L. Abín, J. Marrero and K. Bosecker: Proc. 15 th Int. Biohydrometal. Symp (2003), p.124.

Google Scholar

[5] O. Coto, M. Peguero, L. Abín, N. Bruguera, J. Marrero and K. Bosecker: Proc. 16 th Int. Biohydrometal. Symp (2005), p.357.

Google Scholar

[6] S. R. Hutchins, M. S. Davidson, J. A. Brierley and C. L. Brierley: Ann. Rev. Microbiol Vol 40 (1986), p.311.

Google Scholar

[7] D.E. Rawlings: Biomining: Theory, Microbes and Industrial Processes (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1997).

Google Scholar

[8] K. Milde, W. Sand, W. Wolff and E. Bock: J. Gen. Microbiol Vol 29 (1983), p.1327.

Google Scholar

[9] W. Sand: Appl. Environ. Microbiol Vol 53 (1987), p.1645.

Google Scholar

[10] M.P. Silverman and D.G. Lundgren: J. Bacterial Vol 77 (1959), p.642.

Google Scholar

[11] C. Brombacher, R. Bachofen and H. Brandl. Appl. Environ. Microbiol Vol 64 (1998), p.1237.

Google Scholar