METHOD FOR BACTERIAL LEACHING OF SULFIDE ORES AND CONCENTRATES Russian patent published in 1996 - IPC

FIELD: mining industry. SUBSTANCE: invention concerns bacterial leaching of iron and arsenic-containing finely divided floatation concentrates, in particular, gold-arsenic, tin-arsenic, and polymetal floatation concentrates, as well as finely divided sulfide ores and their wastes. Material is first subjected to granulation, for example, on a bowl granulator producing acid- resistant grains. Into the latter, bacteria, for example, autotroph acidophilic bacteria are entered to be accumulated in the material. Then bacteria-rich material is heaped on a waterproof basis and sprinkled with bacterial solution. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of process.