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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
earth and planetary sciences
Potential for bioleaching copper sulphide rougher concentrates of Nchanga Mine, Chingola, Zambia
Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Volume 112, No. 12, Year 2012
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Description
Laboratory investigations were conducted to establish the feasibility of bioleaching a mixed copper oxide/sulphide rougher concentrate from Nchanga Mine on the Zambian Copperbelt. The objective was to determine the kinetics and extent of copper extraction for this material. Batch experiments were conducted under different solution conditions in stirred tank bioreactors. The progress of (bio)leaching was monitored through measurements of soluble ferrous and ferric iron, copper, pH, and redox potentials, while bacterial activity was monitored online through O and CO gas utilization rates. About 20 per cent copper was solubilized within 2 hours in all cases of non-oxidative (abiotic), oxidative (abiotic), and bioleaching experiments. This was attributed to the dissolution of mainly copper oxides. Subsequently, bioleaching experiments resulted in an overall copper extraction of 93 per cent, with up to 8 g.L-1 copper after six leaching days, compared to 58 per cent copper extraction in the abiotic oxidative acid leaching experiments. However, there was little effect of time (i.e. poor dissolution kinetics) on copper recovery for abiotic non-oxidative acid leaching of the material. Hence, the rate of sulphide leaching increased due to the activity of bacteria. Thus, the material is potentially bioleachable under mesophilic conditions. However, more exhaustive test work needs to be conducted to establish the effect of bioleaching variables and heat requirement. © The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2012.
Authors & Co-Authors
Manchisi, James
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Hansford, Geoffrey Spearing
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Gaylard, P.
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Simukanga, Stephen
Zambia, Lusaka
University of Zambia
Nyirenda, R. L.
Zambia, Lusaka
University of Zambia
Sichalwe, A.
Zambia
Konkola Copper Mines Plc.
Statistics
Citations: 6
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
ISSN:
22256253
Research Areas
Environmental
Study Locations
Zambia