Control of redox potential by oxygen limitation in selective bioleaching of chalcocite and pyrite

Abstract

Based on the bioleaching mechanism and electrochemical studies of metal sulfides, the dissolution rates of chalcocite and pyrite are controlled by redox potentials. Experiment on the bioleaching of chalcocite and pyrite under constant redox potential by sparging with nitrogen gas was demonstrated. By leaching at low and constant redox potential (<760 mV, vs SHE), copper recoveries of 90 %–98 % are achieved, which are 10 times more than iron recoveries. The iron-oxidizing bacterial populations are observed to continue to reduce under oxygen limitation conditions, but the Acidithiobacillus that have only sulfur-oxidizing capabilities are an attractive alternative for redox-controlled bioleaching of chalcocite. Thus, the described redox control technique might be one of the effective approaches to balance acid and iron in Zijinshan copper bio-heap leaching practice.