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Published on: December 30, 2021
[Selective extraction of metals from zinc concentrate by association of chemolithotrophic bacteria]
Abstract:
Ability for selective extraction of copper and zinc from zinc concentrate using association of chemolithotrophic bacteria was investigated. In the presence of bacterial association, the rate of desalinization of zinc, copper, and iron was increased 3-fold, 4-5-fold, and 2-fold, respectively. Zinc, copper, and iron were levigated with the most significant rate. It was revealed that addition of Fe3+ 2 g/l resulted in reduction of iron desalinization and in 3-fold increase of desalinization rate of copper at constant dissolution rate of mineral zinc. It is suggested that the intensification of copper desalinization is connected with the activity of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria able to activate the mineral surface via elimination of passivation layer of elemental sulfur. It was concluded that sulfur-oxidizing bacteria play a significant role in copper desalinization from zinc concentrate. A unique strain of mesophile sulfur-oxidizing bacteria was isolated from desalinization pulp of zinc concentrate; in the perspective, it may serve as efficient candidate for performing of selective extraction of copper from zinc concentrate.
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