Papers by Keyword: Pyrite

Abstract: The Nimba Range and its western extension are located in the Nimba region on the borders of the Republic of Guinea, Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire. It is a mountainous region made up of metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks. Metavolcanic rocks are gneisses, granites, amphibolites and quartzites, which constitute the lower part of Archean age. The upper part consists of Proterozoic rocks of metasedimentary origin. It contains important deposits of itabirites which occupy the top of the mountains and hills of the region. The petrographic study of the banded iron formations reveals the existence of silicate banded iron formations (SIF) and oxidized banded iron formations (OIF). The results of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and metallogenic analyzes show the presence of iron minerals (magnetites, hematites, pyrites, goethites, martites and siderites). These analyzes also reveal the presence of the metamorphic index minerals associated with the banded iron formations, hence the existence of several types of ferriferous formations (silicate (SIF) and oxidized (OIF) banded iron formations). Overall, there is an increase in the degree of regional metamorphism from east to west of the Nimba region. The geochemical analysis of the banded iron formations reveals that with the exception of Na₂O, all the major elements have a negative linear correlation although dispersed with Fe₂O₃. This correlation is explained by a decrease in quartz, garnet, micas (muscovite and biotite), amphibole, pyroxene, plagioclase, titanium and phosphorus contents. Conversely, there is an increase in iron ore content: magnetites, pyrites, hematites, goethite. But the alkali content remains constant in these banded iron formations. Then, the lower the Fe₂O₃ content, the higher the FeO content, while those of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ are constant in all of these formations in the Nimba region except in the chlorite banded iron formation where both are anticorelated. Finally, the ratio SiO₂ / Fe₂O₃ vs MgO + CaO + MnO / Fe₂O₃ of the banded iron formations of the Nimba region compared to the same formations of the whole world allows to give them Proterozoic age. Some itabirites have high levels of magnetite, hematite, and goethite (same feature as itabirites of Lac supérieur and Pic de fon) and only chlorite itabirite has a low to medium Mg-Si-BIF content.

Abstract: This article covers acid nitric leaching of Olympiada deposit refractory gold-bearing concentrate after alkaline leaching of stibnite. Thermodynamic analysis of the reaction pyrite and arsenopyrite with nitric acid chemical equations was performed. Equilibrium Eh-pH Pourbaix diagrams of heterogeneous systems studied, containing iron and arsenic were charted. Investigation of elemental and species analyses was maintained. The analysis of the main elements distribution and their combining over grains with the help of electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) was investigated. It is established, that the material mainly consists of compounds of quartz, dolomite and calcite, as well as pyrite and arsenopyrite. Pre-treatment decarbonization operation of the feed material was proposed with the aim to reduce nitric acid consumption. The dependences of effects of the nitric acid concentration and L/S ratio on iron and arsenic dissolving were determined.

Abstract: The goal of the present work was to compare the rates of pyrite oxidation by different microorganisms, representatives of the groups predominating in biohydrometallurgical processes. The experiments were conducted in flasks with 100 mL of the medium containing mineral salts, 0.02% of yeast extract, and 2 g of pyrite at 45°C on rotation shaker (200 rpm) for 30 days. Strains Acidithiobacillus caldus MBC-1, Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans VKMV 1269^T, and Acidiplasma sp. MBA-1 were used in the study. Different combinations of the strains were used in the experiments (pure cultures of S. thermosulfidooxidans VKMV 1269^T, Aсidiplasma sp. MBA-1, A. caldus MBC-1, as well as mixed cultures S. thermosulfidooxidans VKMV 1269^T + A. caldus MBC-1, Aсidiplasma sp. MBA-1 + A. caldus MBC-1, S. thermosulfidooxidans VKMV 1269^T + Aсidiplasma sp. MBA-1). Iron concentrations in the medium were the highest in the variants “S. thermosulfidooxidans VKMV 1269^T + A. caldus MBC-1”, “Aсidiplasma sp. MBA-1 + A. caldus MBC-1”, and “Sb. thermosulfidooxidans VKMV 1269^T + Aсidiplasma sp. MBA-1” and achieved 3.8, 3.5, and 3.3 g/L, respectively. Iron concentration in sterile control as well as in the experiments with pure cultures of Aсidiplasma sp. MBA-1 and A. caldus MBC-1 were very low. It demonstrated that in these variants pyrite was almost not oxidized. In the experiment with the pure culture of S. thermosulfidooxidans VKMV 1269^T, the rate of oxidation was high during 10 d of the experiment but then the oxidation activity drastically decreased. The ferric iron concentration achieved a maximum of 1.8 g/L and then decreased, whereas the ferrous iron concentration began to increase. Revealed differences in pyrite oxidation rates can be explained by differences in the physiological properties between the microorganisms. Results of the present work suggest that different groups of microorganisms have different impact in pyrite biooxidation.

Abstract: Various methods of controlling redox potential (ORP) with electrochemical bioreactor and others have been investigated to increase copper extraction of chalcopyrite in bioleaching,but less attention has been paid to reducing ferric to ferrous ions. Therefore, in this work, the redox potential of chalcopyrite bioleaching system in the presence of mixed moderately thermophiles containing Leptospirillum. ferriphilum, Acidithiobacillus. caldus and Sulfobacillus. thermosulfidooxidans has been controlled by pyrite. It was found that at a constant pH of 2.0, the addition of pyrite can reduce ferric to ferrous ion to a large extent, and the lower ORP values can be obtained. Bioleaching experiments indicated that the time for adding pyrite caused different bioleaching behaviors of chalcopyrite. The high copper extraction can be obtained by added pyrite at a low ORP values (<420 mV vs. Ag/AgCl). The XRD tests and SEM images showed that the amounts of formed jarosite increased as the pyrite addition, and the loose and porous jarosite can be found at low ORP values.

Abstract: Arsenic is an abundant element associated with a wide range of minerals and a major contaminant in metallurgical wastewater. For the immobilization of arsenic, iron arsenate in the very stable mineral scorodite (FeAsO₄ 2H₂O) is the preferred route. Microorganisms of the natural iron cycle living at pH below 2 and high temperatures can conduct the oxidation of ferrous iron with oxygen, which is not feasible chemically at these extreme conditions. Remarkably, at similar acidic conditions and high temperature these microorganisms can also carry out the oxidation of arsenite (As(III)) to arsenate (As(V)). Using these intrinsic features of the microorganisms, we have investigated the role of a thermoacidophilic mixed culture in the oxidation of As(III) and precipitation of (As(V) in the form of scorodite from a synthetic wastewater containing 6.7mM of As(III) and 0.5%Wt pyrite as main iron Fe(II) source. The results indicate that As(III) was completely oxidized from the synthetic wastewater in the presence of pyrite and scorodite was formed only in presence of the mixed culture at a Fe/As:1.3. This is a combination of biological oxidation and biocrystallisation accomplished to the presence of pyrite not only as the main energy source for the microorganisms, but as catalyst in the As(III) oxidation reaction.

Abstract: The mineral surface chemistry characterization is essential to describe the dissolution kinetics in leaching and bioleaching. Five different methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman Spectroscopy, have been applied to study the surface chemistry changes during pyrite, sphalerite and molybdenite bioleaching. The surface characterizations have been done for samples before and after biological and chemical leaching. The SEM images illustrated that the minerals surfaces were smooth before processing, while they covered with an ash layer after biological treatment. Although EDS analysis and Raman spectrum demonstrated the potassium jarosite formation on the pyrite surface during bioleaching, the formation of jarosite layer did not occur on the sphalerite surfaces during bioleaching. On the other hand, a sulfur layer formation on the sphalerite surface was confirmed by mentioned characterization methods. Finally, according to the XRD and EDS spectrum the molybdenite surface had been covered both with sulfur and jarosite.

Abstract: Pyrite, mineral largely found in nature, is considered a solid waste when is obtained from the coal mining. However, can be precursor of products like: sulphur, sulphuric acid, hematite, sulphur dioxide, fertilizers and iron sulfates. Several studies also point it property of semiconduction and it use in solar cells. Increase it purity level is important for transforming it in products with more aggregate value. Thus, the present work suggests a purification route for the reduction in soluble salts in water, organics and quartz associated with pyrite from the coal mining beneficiation. The used methods were solubilization in hot water and in organic solvent (dichloromethane). Were applied XRD, FTIR, total sulphur determination, and gas helium picnometry. Comparing the results obtained for the “in nature” pyrite with the purified one, proved the efficiency of the proposed method.

Abstract: In a process of bioleaching of sulfides, the surface of target mineral is sometimes covered with intermediates and final products to interfere the extraction of metal. Understanding characterization and formation order of secondary minerals, which are responsible for passivation, is a key to resolve the passivation. In the present article, identification of secondary minerals and intermediates in a process of bioleaching of several sulfides by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, identification of jarosite group minerals using Raman spectroscopy, and expectation of formation order of secondary minerals by SEM-EDX and TEM observation are overviewed. Direct observation of a nanodomain by TEM provided a useful information on amorphous secondary minerals. In bioleaching of arsenic-bearing copper sulfides, which are expected to be a new target in the near future, a passivation model was proposed to keep maximizing Cu recovery and minimizing As solubilization, based on combination of solid characterization with aqueous observation.

Abstract: The main sulphidic minerals, contained in the Olimpiada flotation concentrate, are pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, pyrite and antimonite. Biooxidation of these minerals occurs in the following sequence: Pyrrhotite → Arsenopyrite → Pyrite → Antimonite. Oxidation of pyrrhotite requires acid consumption, oxidation of pyrite is followed by formation of sulphuric acid. The oxidation rate of pyrrhotite is higher and due to this, acid balance of the whole biooxidation process is shifted to the consuming side, and it is required to add acid to the process. The research work has demonstrated, that by regulating oxidation-reduction potential it is possible to reduce pyrrhotite oxidation rate and intensify pyrite oxidation rate; this allows to reduce consumption of sulphuric acid, reduce heating of the slurry inside the reactors and as a result maintain the stable process.

Abstract: Differential utilization of isomers pyrite and marcasite by Acidianus manzaensis were comparatively studied, besides the iron and sulfur speciation transformation of the minerals was also investigated based on synchrotron radiation X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The results showed that the biooxidation of pyrite was faster than marcasite. The bioleached surface of both pyrite and marcasite are serious corroded, and the Fe (III)-containing species as well as jarosite were gradually produced, and more elemental sulfur species were formed on the marcasite surface than that for pyrite. It demonstrates the mineral structure does affect the biooxidation of pyrite and marcasite, and the more precipitated elemental sulfur might be one of the reasons leading to lower oxidation rate of marcasite by A. manzaensis.