Abstract
The dissolution of gold-bearing pyrite plays an important role in bioleaching of gold. This paper describes a fundamental study on the electrochemical behavior and reaction mechanisms of gold-bearing pyrite leaching in the form of Carbon Paste Electrode (CPE) with and without microorganisms using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and polarization curve. A two step process was suggested from Cyclic voltammetry. Electrode passivation by elemental sulphur was observed below 700mV (vs. SCE), elemental sulphur was then oxidized to sulphate when the electrode potential further increased from 700mV. The polarization current density of CPE and the oxidation rate of pyrite are further enhanced by the presence of microorganisms. Analyses of EDS and XPS confirmed the formation of elemental sulphur and sulphate. This electrochemical method successfully showed its simplicity and reliability to measure oxidation rate of gold bearing pyrite.
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