Research progress in biohydrometallurgy of rare metals and heavy nonferrous metals with an emphasis on China

Abstract

In the past decade, progress in the field of biohydrometallurgy had been significant. A total of 17 novel biomining microorganisms were discovered, and eight copper heap bioleaching plants and 11 gold biooxidation plants were established or expanded. In this review, it was summarized the physiological properties of the newly isolated biomining microorganisms and three novel microbial ecological methods for studying microbial community dynamics and structure. In addition, biohydrometallurgy research on rare metals such as uranium, molybdenum, tellurium, germanium, indium, and secondary rare metal resources, as well as heavy nonferrous metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt, and gold has been reviewed, with an emphasis on China. In future, further studies on bioleaching of chalcopyrite, rare metals, secondary resources from waste, and environmental pollution caused by resource utilization are necessary. Zijinshan heap bioleaching plant restarted operation in 2012 with capacity of 30,000 ton·year−1. The average copper grade is 0.308 %. The ore particle size is 40 mm accounting for 80 %. The heap height is 8 m. The solution pH is controlled at 1.5–1.7, and redox potential is maintained at 730–760 mV. After 185 days leaching, copper leaching rate of more than 76 % and iron leaching rate of <6 % are achieved.