Bioleaching of Gold Ore
Bioleaching of Gold Ore
Table of Contents Title Page i Table of Contents ii ABSTRACT iii
1. INTRODUCTION 4 2.1 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF BIOLEACHING 4-5 2.2 TYPES OF BIOLEACHING 5-7 2.3 GOLD ORES APPLICABLE TO BIOLEACHING 7 2.4 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGICAL GOLD ORE TREATMENT 7-9 2.5 OPTOMIZING THE BIOLEACHING PROCESS 9-11 2.6 ADVANTAGES OF BIOLEACHING OF GOLD ORE 11
2.7 LIMITATIONS/DISADVANTAGES OF BIOLEACHING OF GOLD ORE 12
3. CONCLUSION 12
Cited References 13
Appendix A 14
1. ABSTRACT Bioleaching has been applied to copper and uranium deposits for many years, but more recently has been applied to gold ore refractory and refractory concentrates. This process involves the oxidation of sulfide, ferrous, and sometimes carbon containing minerals in order to liberate the gold trapped within. This process is possible by use of several bacterial strains which gain energy from the oxidation of reduced sulfur and ferrous minerals. There are three main bioleaching techniques: heap bioleaching, bioreactors and vats. Optimizing the biooxidation of gold ore involves numerous physicochemical, biological and technological factors. There are promising advancements in gold bio-metallurgy that are currently being investigated and maybe employed in the near future. Despite the limitations and slow nature of bioleaching, it offers several advantages over traditional pretreatment techniques. It is a relatively cheap process and offers greater recovery of refractory gold ores and concentrates. It is also relatively environmentally friendly compared to other treatment processes. With stricter environmental regulations and depletion in free-milling gold ores reserves, bioleaching will become increasingly important in the gold mining industry.
1. INTRODUCTION Bioleaching is the
Table of Contents Title Page i Table of Contents ii ABSTRACT iii
1. INTRODUCTION 4 2.1 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF BIOLEACHING 4-5 2.2 TYPES OF BIOLEACHING 5-7 2.3 GOLD ORES APPLICABLE TO BIOLEACHING 7 2.4 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGICAL GOLD ORE TREATMENT 7-9 2.5 OPTOMIZING THE BIOLEACHING PROCESS 9-11 2.6 ADVANTAGES OF BIOLEACHING OF GOLD ORE 11
2.7 LIMITATIONS/DISADVANTAGES OF BIOLEACHING OF GOLD ORE 12
3. CONCLUSION 12
Cited References 13
Appendix A 14
1. ABSTRACT Bioleaching has been applied to copper and uranium deposits for many years, but more recently has been applied to gold ore refractory and refractory concentrates. This process involves the oxidation of sulfide, ferrous, and sometimes carbon containing minerals in order to liberate the gold trapped within. This process is possible by use of several bacterial strains which gain energy from the oxidation of reduced sulfur and ferrous minerals. There are three main bioleaching techniques: heap bioleaching, bioreactors and vats. Optimizing the biooxidation of gold ore involves numerous physicochemical, biological and technological factors. There are promising advancements in gold bio-metallurgy that are currently being investigated and maybe employed in the near future. Despite the limitations and slow nature of bioleaching, it offers several advantages over traditional pretreatment techniques. It is a relatively cheap process and offers greater recovery of refractory gold ores and concentrates. It is also relatively environmentally friendly compared to other treatment processes. With stricter environmental regulations and depletion in free-milling gold ores reserves, bioleaching will become increasingly important in the gold mining industry.
1. INTRODUCTION Bioleaching is the