Abstract
In experiment of pyrite bioleaching by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans (DSM 583), the use of a K + sulfonic resin to exchange ferrous and ferric ions of the medium in order to eliminate soluble bacterial substrate and mineral oxidizing agent, showed that the bacterial population does not grow efficiently if any substrate, except FeS 2 , is available. On the other hand, if the medium is free of any chemical oxidizing agent, the sulfide mineral is not oxidized and the leaching does not occur. Moreover, a physico-chemical approach showed that elemental sulfur and ferrous sulfate chemically produced at mineral surface by the action of free ferric ions, are effective substrates for the bacteria. These, non fully oxidized superficial phases ($8, FeSO 4 ) are essential reactants because Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is unable to perform the direct oxidation of the mineral. Their nature, amount and spatial distribution control the kinetics of leaching and the corrosion of pyrite grains.
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