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A Comparative Assessment on the Effect of Different Supplemental Iron Sources on the Bio-dissolution of Zn, Pb, Cd, and As from a High-grade Zn–Pb Ore

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Abstract

The present study investigates the influence of ferrous iron (as FeSO4) and ferric iron (as Fe2 (SO4)3), and pyrite (FeS2) on the ability of bacterial leaching of a high-grade sulfide Zn–Pb ore. In this regard, shake flask experiments were carried out at 5% (w/v) pulp density of the ore sample (having 40.7% Zn and 12.4% Pb initial metal content) using a consortium of mesophilic iron and sulfur-oxidizing acidophiles. A concentration of 0.04 mol/L of ferric iron in the leaching media was found to be optimum for zinc extraction without affecting growth of the microorganisms. Under this concentration, the dissolution of Zn, Pb, Cd, and As was found to be 57%, 0.2%, 0.03%, and 9.9% in 25 days. Using ferrous iron in the media, 0.16 mol/L of Fe2+ was found to be the optimum concentration for efficient bacterial growth and metal dissolution (54.6% Zn, 0.08% Pb, 0.03% Cd, and 10.2% As) from the sample in 25 days. On the other hand, using pyrite as the source of energy for bacterial growth, an initial 12-day lag period was observed when compared to the effect of ferrous iron in the media. Under the optimum concentration (test with 0.24 mol/L iron in the form of pyrite), the dissolution of Zn, Pb, Cd, and As was found to be 39.8%, 0.1%, 0.03%, and 10% in 25 days. The surface chemistry analysis indicated formation of a sulfur layer over the particle surface that hindered reagent diffusion and affected metal recovery through bioleaching.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr. Fariborz Gharib, Head of Applied Geological Research Center of Iran, (GRCIR) and Marzieh Moradian for providing facilities and technical assistance. Finally, we thank Prof. Olli H. Tuovinen for reviewing and comments on the manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by the Geological Survey of Iran (GSI) under Grant No. 92-171-459.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mining Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1439957131, Iran

    Sina Ghassa & Hadi Abdollahi

  2. Applied Geological Research Center of Iran, Nano-Bio Earth Laboratory, Karaj, 3174674841, Iran

    Sina Ghassa & Zohreh Boroumand

  3. Departmentof Mining and Metallurgy Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

    Elham Najafi

  4. Mineral-Metal Recovery and Recycling (MMR&R) Research Group, Mineral Processing Div., Dept. of Mining Eng., Suleyman Demirel University, TR32260, Isparta, Turkey

    Sandeep Panda & Ata Akcil

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  1. Sina Ghassa
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Correspondence to Hadi Abdollahi or Ata Akcil.

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Ghassa, S., Abdollahi, H., Najafi, E. et al. A Comparative Assessment on the Effect of Different Supplemental Iron Sources on the Bio-dissolution of Zn, Pb, Cd, and As from a High-grade Zn–Pb Ore. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 36, 363–374 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-018-0001-2

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