Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
15:19
Development of Sulfidogenic Sludge from Marine Sediments and Trichloroethylene Reduction in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor
Published on: October 15, 2015
8.7K
Extraction of copper from an oxidized (lateritic) ore using bacterially catalysed reductive dissolution.
Ivan Nancucheo1, Barry M Grail, Felipe Hilario
1College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|April 2, 2014
Summary
Reductive bioleaching using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans efficiently extracts copper from oxidized lateritic ores. This microbial process significantly enhances copper recovery compared to conventional methods.
Area of Science:
- * Geomicrobiology
- * Hydrometallurgy
- * Bioprocessing
Background:
- * Lateritic ores contain valuable base metals like copper.
- * Conventional extraction methods face challenges with complex ore mineralogy.
- * Microbial processes offer alternative, potentially more efficient, metal recovery strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the efficacy of reductive bioleaching for copper extraction from oxidized lateritic ore.
- * To evaluate the role of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in copper solubilization.
- * To compare reductive bioleaching performance against aerobic and sterile conditions.
Main Methods:
- * Bioleaching experiments conducted in controlled stirred reactors using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.
- * Ore treated under acidic, reducing conditions with sulfur as electron donor and ferric iron as electron acceptor.
- * Comparison of copper extraction yields in anaerobic microbial, aerobic microbial, and sterile anoxic reactors.
Main Results:
- * Significantly higher copper leaching achieved through bacterially catalyzed reductive dissolution (up to 78% extraction).
- * Effective extraction of copper from both acid-labile and ferric iron-associated minerals.
- * Soluble copper (I) and iron (II) were observed in anaerobic conditions, oxidizing to copper (II) and iron (III) upon aeration.
- * Bacterial inoculum size critically influenced leaching rate and yield.
Conclusions:
- * Reductive bioleaching is a highly effective method for extracting copper from oxidized lateritic ores.
- * Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans plays a crucial role in enhancing copper recovery via reductive dissolution.
- * This study supports the potential of reductive bioprocessing to expand the scope of biomining for oxidized metal deposits.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Precipitation and Co-precipitation
4.8K
Precipitation and coprecipitation methods can be used to separate a mixture of ions in a solution. In qualitative inorganic analysis, ions that form sparingly soluble precipitates with the same reagent are separated based on the differences in solubility products. For example, consider the separation of Cu(II) and Fe(II) ions by precipitation as insoluble sulfides. First, copper(II) sulfide is precipitated by the addition of acidic H2S, where the dissociation of H2S is suppressed. Adding H2S...
4.8K
01:08Electrodeposition
2.7K
Electrodeposition is a technique used to separate an analyte from interferents by electrochemical processes. Here, the analyte is a metal ion that can be deposited on an electrode immersed in the sample solution. The electrochemical setup consists of an anode and a cathode. When an electric current is applied to the setup, oxidation occurs at the anode. At the cathode, which consists of a large metal surface, metal ions undergo reduction and deposit onto the surface.
Electrodeposition can...
Electrodeposition can...
2.7K
00:56Extraction: Advanced Methods
1.3K
Metal ions can be separated from one another by complexation with organic ligands–the chelating agent– to form uncharged chelates. Here, the chelating agent must contain hydrophobic groups and behave as a weak acid, losing a proton to bind with the metal. Since most organic ligands used in this process are insoluble or undergo oxidation in the aqueous phase, the chelating agent is initially added to the organic phase and extracted into the aqueous phase. The metal-ligand complex is...
1.3K
01:24Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles
89
Microbial activity plays a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese, especially at the redox gradients characteristic of stratified aquatic environments. These cycles are driven by microbial transformations between oxidized and reduced forms of the metals, allowing organisms to exploit them for metabolic energy and structural purposes.Iron Cycling Across Redox GradientsIn neutral, oxygen-rich surface waters, iron is predominantly found in its oxidized, insoluble ferric...
89
01:27Microbial Leaching
227
Microbial leaching, also known as bioleaching, is an environmentally favorable method for extracting metals from low-grade ores using specific microorganisms. This biotechnological approach is particularly valuable for mining operations targeting copper, gold, and uranium, where traditional extraction methods may be economically or environmentally impractical.Copper Leaching and Microbial CatalysisIn copper bioleaching, crushed ore is arranged into heaps and irrigated with a dilute sulfuric...
227
01:19Acid Mine Drainage
112
Mining activities that disturb sulfide-rich rocks, particularly those containing pyrite (FeS₂), initiate a cascade of geochemical and microbiological processes with serious environmental implications. When exposed to air and water, pyrite undergoes oxidation, releasing sulfate, ultimately forming sulfuric acid and mobilizing heavy metals into surrounding water systems. This phenomenon, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), results in low pH waters laden with toxic elements that threaten...
112