Journal
GEOMICROBIOLOGY JOURNAL
Volume 39, Issue 3-5, Pages 233-241Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC
DOI: 10.1080/01490451.2021.1977434
Keywords
Bioleaching; mesophilic bacteria; Mg-silicates; nickel leaching; pentlandite leaching
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This study investigated the bioleaching of nickel-containing sulfide minerals using a mesophilic, acidophilic consortium, which resulted in a higher nickel dissolution compared to chemical leaching. Additionally, the presence of accessory forsterite increased acid consumption, impacting the bioleaching process negatively.
The bioleaching of nickel-containing sulfide minerals from five ophiolitic ore samples was investigated in this study, using a mesophilic, acidophilic consortium that included Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans. The experiments were carried out in the presence and absence of ferrous iron and elemental sulfur as additional energy sources for the bacteria. After 30 days of contact at 5% pulp density, nickel dissolution was in the range of 15-29% in the chemical leaching and 58-83% in the bioleaching. Accessory forsterite (Mg2SiO4) in the ophiolitic ore samples increased the acid consumption, attributed to the protonation of Mg-silicate surfaces. The ore samples with low Cr2O3/MgO ratios had high acid consumption. Post-leaching examination of solid residues showed the presence of a jarosite and sulfur layers, indicating mineral surface passivation and diffusion limitation.
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