Abstract
This paper is a progress report on the commercialization of using bioleaching for base-metal concentrates. The paper focuses on bioleach processes for recovering copper from chalcopyrite and nickel/cobalt from pentlandite/pyrrhotite. Data is discussed from pilot-plant trials in which an overall recovery >95% was obtained for the bioleaching of copper from chalcopyrite. The pilot plant was operated in closed circuit with solvent extraction and electrowinning circuits for final metal recovery. For the bioleaching of nickel and cobalt from pentlandite/pyrrhotite, an overall recovery of 97% was achieved. Precipitation routines were used to produce a final nickel/cobalt product. The pilot plants were capable of treating a few kilograms of concentrate per day. Prominent features in the design of a 1-t/day (1.1-stpd) copper-bioleach demonstration plant for the treatment of chalcopyrite concentrate are discussed. The plant, which is now under design, will be constructed and operated based on the results obtained from the laboratory pilot-plant campaigns. Issues of scale-up for the demonstration plant, together with integration into upstream and downstream processing, are also addressed. Independently derived capital and operating costs are presented for a possible commercial plant. These cost studies indicate the principle economic issues in considering the application of bioleaching to the extraction of base metals. The benefits of bioleaching complex concentrates that are not amenable to physical beneficiation and economic treatment by conventional smelting are highlighted. Issues, such as the environmental aspects, that illustrate the benefits of bioleach technology are given.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brierley, C.L., and Brans, R., 1994, “Selection of BacTech’s thermophilic biooxidation process for Youanmi Mine,” Biomine 94: Applications of Biotechnology to the Minerals Industry, International Conference and Workshop, Perth, Western Australia, Sept. 19–20, Australian Mineral Foundation Inc. Glenside, Australia.
Brierley, C.L., and Winby, R., 1996 “BacTech’s thermophilic biooxidation plant at Youanmi Mine: An update on performance and cost,” Randol 96, Squaw Creek, CA, April 21–24 1996. Randol International Ltd., Golden, CO.
Briggs, A.P., and Millard, M., 1998, “Engineering aspects of a bacterial oxidation circuit for cobalt recovery at Kasese, Uganda,” ALTA 1998, Nickel/Cobalt Pressure Leaching & Hydrometallurgy Forum, Perth, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Melbourne, Australia.
Fewings, J., and Wilathgamuwa, A., “Pilot plant experience on the bacterial leaching of Ni/Co sulfide concentrates at BacTech (Australia) Ltd.,” ALTA 1998, Nickel/Cobalt Pressure Leaching & Hydrometallurgy Forum, Perth, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Melbourne, Australia 1998.
Holmes, P.J., and Crundwell, F.K., 1995, “Kinetic aspects of galvanic interactions between minerals during dissolution”, International Symposium, Principles and Practices of Leaching, Winnipeg, Canada, October.
King, A.J., and Budden, J.R., 1996, “The bacterial oxidation of nickel and cobalt polymetallic concentrates,” ALTA 1996, Nickel/Cobalt Pressure Leaching & Hydrometallurgy Forum, Perth, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Melbourne, Australia.
Kelly, D.P., Norris, P.R., and Brierley, C.L., 1979, “Microbial methods for the extraction and recovery of metals,” In: Microbial Technology, Society for Microbiology Symposium 29, A. Bull, D. Ellwood and C. Ratledge, eds., Society for General Microbiology Ltd., UK, pp. 263–308.
Liddell, K., 1996, “Design of ultra-fine grinding mills and their potential application in copper hydrometallurgy.” ALTA 1996, Copper Hydrometallurgy Forum, Brisbane, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Melbourne, Australia.
Miller, P.C., and Winby, R., 1997, “The potential commercialisation of bioleaching for the treatment of chalcopyrite ores and concentrates,” Preprint 97-094, presented at the SME Annual Meeting, Denver, Co, SME.
Miller, P.C., 1997, “The design and operating practice of bacterial oxidation plant using moderate thermophiles,” In: Biomining: Theory, Microbes and Industrial Processes, D.E. Rawlings, ed., Springer-Verlag and Landes Bioscience, Georgetown, pp. 81–100.
Murr, L.E., and Chakraborti, N., 1980, “Kinetics of chalcopyrite-bearing waste rock with thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria,” Hydrometallurgy 1980, 5, pp. 337–354.
Neale, J.W., Pinches, A., Kruger, P., and Van Staden, P.J., 1996, “Copper bioleaching,” ALTA 1996, Copper Hydrometallurgy Forum, Brisbane, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Melbourne, Australia.
Rhodes, M.K., Deeplaul, V., and van Staden, P.J., 1998, “Bacterial oxidation of Mt. Lyell concentrates,” ALTA 1998, Copper Sulphides Symposium, Brisbane, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Melbourne, Australia.
Schnell, H.A., 1997, “Bioleaching of Copper,” In Biomining: Theory, Microbes and Industrial Processes, D.E. Rawlings, ed., Springer-Verlag and Landes Bioscience, Georgetown, pp. 21–43.
Steemson, M.L., Wong, F.S., and Goebel, B., 1997, “The integration of zinc bioleaching with solvent extraction for the production of zinc metal from zinc concentrates,” International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium, Metallurgy 1, IBS97 Biomine 97, Australian Mineral Foundation Ine, Glenside, Australia.
Taylor, A., Fairley, H., and Winby, R., 1997, “Re-opening of the Radio Hill nickel project, Western Australia using bacterial leaching of nickel sulphide concentrates,” In: ALTA 1997, Nickel/ Cobalt Pressure Leaching and Hydrometallurgy Forum, Perth, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Melbourne, Australia.
Tuovinen, O.H., Kelley, B.C., and Groudev, S.N., 1991, “Mixed cultures in biological leaching processes and mineral biology,” In: Mixed Cultures in Biotechnology, J.G. Zeikus and E.A. Johnson, eds., McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., New York, pp. 373–427
van Aswegen, P.C., 1993, “Commissioning and operation of biooxidation plants for the treatment of refractory gold ores,” Hydrometallurgy Fundamentals, Technology and Innovations, Proceedings of Milton E Wadsworth (IV) International Symposium Hydrometallurgy, AIME, Salt Lake City, UT, Aug. 1–5, 1993.
van Staden, P.J., “The simulation and rough economic evaluation of copper bioleach options,” Extraction Metallurgy ′97 Conference, June 24–26, 1997, South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
van Staden, P.J., 1998 “The Mintek/BacTech copper bioleach process,” ALTA 1998, Copper Sulphides Symposium, Brisbane, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Melbourne, Australia.
Williams, T.L., 1997, “Factors affecting bacterial population dynamics at the Youanmi bacterial oxidation plant,” International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium, IBS-BIOMINE 97, Metallurgy 4, Australian Mineral Foundation Inc, Glenside, Australia.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Miller, P.C., Rhodes, M.K., Winby, R. et al. Commercialization of bioleaching for base-metal extraction. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 16, 42–50 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403233
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403233