Bioleaching Modeling-A Review

Area of Science:

• * Environmental Science
• * Mining Engineering
• * Bioprocess Engineering

Background:

• * Mineral leaching is a key step in metal extraction, with bioleaching emerging as a sustainable alternative to pyrometallurgical methods.
• * Bioleaching offers environmental benefits like reduced emissions, lower costs, and suitability for low-grade ores.
• * Traditional mining methods often carry significant environmental liabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To present the theoretical basis for modeling bioleaching processes.
• * To focus on the modeling of mineral recovery rates within bioleaching.
• * To review various modeling approaches for mineral dissolution.

Main Methods:

• * Review of conventional leaching dynamics models, including the shrinking core model.
• * Exploration of diffusion-controlled, chemically controlled, and film diffusion-controlled oxidation processes.
• * Introduction to statistical analysis models like surface response methodology and machine learning algorithms.

Main Results:

• * Established models range from diffusion-based to advanced statistical and machine learning approaches.
• * Bioleaching modeling for industrial minerals is a developed field.
• * Bioleaching modeling for rare earth elements presents significant future growth potential.

Conclusions:

• * Bioleaching presents a more sustainable and environmentally friendly mining approach.
• * Modeling is crucial for optimizing bioleaching processes and mineral recovery.
• * Further research in rare earth element bioleaching modeling is warranted.