Bioleaching of metallic sulphides withThiobacillus ferrooxidans in the absence of iron (II)

Abstract
Bioleaching of metallic sulphides withThiobacillus ferrooxidans in the absence of iron (II) was studied using pure sulphides and mixtures. The direct mode of bacterial action was analysed with respect to sulphide solubility, exposed solid surfaces and bacterial attachment to the solids. Bioleaching of mixed sulphides showed enhancement of metal extraction in comparison with pure sulphides which suggests metal extractions would be better from polymetallic sulphide ores than from similar matrices with only one sulphide.