Abstract
The microbiological leaching of Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Ni and Co from sulfide ore material was evaluated with four percolation regimes involving trickle and flood leaching. Continuous circulation of the leach solution associated with flood leaching resulted in the highest rates of leaching of Ni (44% recovery), Zn (25%), Co (18%), and Cu (8%) over a period of about half a year. Iron and aluminum recoveries remained low because of their precipitation. Bacterial counts increased from 3.2×106 to 4.8×107 iron-oxidizers and from 6.6×106 to 1.8×107 glucose-oxidizers per ml leach solution. Microscopic counts reached a maximum of 4.9×108 cells per ml. Neither microscopic nor viable counts reflected the time course and the progress of the leaching. However, both the microscopic and viable counts were highest with the continuous flooding technique which also yielded the fastest rates of metal solubilization.
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