Bioleaching of chalcopyrite by mixed culture of moderately thermophilic microorganisms

Abstract

A mixed culture of moderately thermophilie microorganisms was enriched from acid mine drainages(AMDs) samples collected from several sulphide mines in China, and the bioleaching of chalcopyrite was conducted both in shake flask and bioreactor. The results show that in the shake flask, the mixture can tolerate 50 g/L chalcopyrite after being acclimated to gradually increased concentrations of chalcopyrite. The copper extraction increases obviously in bioleaching of chalcopyrite with moderately thermophilic microorganisms supplemented with 0.4 g/L yeast extract at 180 r/min, 74% copper can be extracted in the pulp of 50 g/L chalcopyrite after 20 d. Compared with copper extractions of mesophilic culture, unacclimated culture and acclimated culture without addition of yeast extract, that of accliniated culture with addition of yeast extract is increased by 53%, 44% and 16%, respectively. In a completely stirred tank reactor, the mass fraction of copper and total iron extraction reach up to 81% and 56%, respectively. The results also indicate that it is necessary to add a large amount of acid to the pulp to extract copper from chalcopyrite effectively.