Distinct Roles of Acidophiles in Complete Oxidation of High-Sulfur Ferric Leach Product of Zinc Sulfide Concentrate.

ABSTRACT: A two-step process, which involved ferric leaching with biologically generated solution and subsequent biooxidation with the microbial community, has been previously proposed for the processing of low-grade zinc sulfide concentrates. In this study, we carried out the process of complete biological oxidation of the product of ferric leaching of the zinc concentrate, which contained 9% of sphalerite, 5% of chalcopyrite, and 29.7% of elemental sulfur. After 21 days of biooxidation at 40°C, sphalerite and chalcopyrite oxidation reached 99 and 69%, respectively, while the level of elemental sulfur oxidation was 97%. The biooxidation residue could be considered a waste product that is inert under aerobic conditions. The results of this study showed that zinc sulfide concentrate processing using

SUBMITTER: Muravyov M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7143523 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature