بهينه سازي استخراج مس از كانسنگ كم عيار مجتمع مس سرچشمه با استفاده از ليچينگ باكتريايي

Optimization of copper recovery from Sarcheshmeh low grade ores by bacterial leaching

It is well-known that the rate of chemical leaching of copper sulfides in limited. So, the important question is whether a mixture of Fe-S oxidizing bacteria can be used to increase the copper recovery from this part of ore and what are the optimum conditions? Therefore, this study is aimed at studying the influence of important parameters such as pH, Fe+2 and Fe+3 concentration and to determine the optimum operating conditions for increasing copper recovery from Sarcheshmeh low grade heap 3 ore. Using Taguchi method design, shake flask tests were designed and performed in addition to column tests. From the results of these experiments it can be pointed out that copper recovery can be increased to about 90% under optimum condition. Compared to the results of chemical leaching, copper recovery by mixed mesophiles is increased about 30% and that by moderate thermophiles about 40%.