Treatment of a Nickel-Copper Sulphide Concentrate Using Bioleaching

Mariekie Gericke; Stefan Robertson

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.825.464

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Treatment of a Nickel-Copper Sulphide Concentrate Using Bioleaching
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Effect of Fe²⁺ and Cu²⁺ Ions on the Electrochemical Behavior of Massive Chalcopyrite in Bioleaching System
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HomeAdvanced Materials ResearchAdvanced Materials Research Vol. 825Treatment of a Nickel-Copper Sulphide Concentrate...

Treatment of a Nickel-Copper Sulphide Concentrate Using Bioleaching

Abstract:

This paper describes bioleach test work performed in continuously operated bench-scale reactor systems on a nickel-copper containing sulphide concentrate at 45 and 70°C, respectively. Optimisation of the process focused on determining the effects of process parameters such as residence time, grind size and feed solids concentration on the leach kinetics, metal extractions and performance of both the moderate thermophile and thermophile cultures. The results showed that nickel recoveries in excess of 96% could be achieved using a moderate grind size and leach temperatures, whereas ultrafine grinding and higher operating temperatures were required to achieve Cu extractions in excess of 93%.

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Periodical:

Advanced Materials Research (Volume 825)

Pages:

464-467

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.825.464

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Online since:

October 2013

Authors:

Mariekie Gericke, Stefan Robertson

Keywords:

Bioleaching, Copper, Moderate Thermophiles, Nickel, Sulfide, Thermophile

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