Studies on the mechanism and kinetics of bioleaching with special reference to the bioleaching of refractory gold-bearing arsenopyrite

• Main Author: Breed, Ashley Wayne
• Other Authors: Hansford, Geoffrey Spearing
• Format: Doctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Bioprocess Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/5356

Includes bibliographies. === Bioleaching is now an established technology for the leaching of whole-ore copper heaps and the pre-treatment of refractory arsenical gold ores and concentrates. For the case of refractory arsenical gold concentrates, it offers an economically feasible alternative to pressure oxidation and has environmental advantages over roasting with regard to the quality of the liquid and gaseous effluent (Van Aswegen, 1993). The major disadvantage of bioleaching is the low residence time required to achieve high oxidation levels. Other potential complications include the solubilisation of substances in the mineral, or the use of reagents, that are toxic to the micro-organisms.