Neutralization of bioleach liquors

Mintek has been involved in the development of bioleach technology for many years, initially for refractory gold extraction, and more recently also for base metals extraction. Mintek, in collaboration with its Australian technology partner (BacTech), is the technology provider for the Beaconsfield r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 2000-11, Vol.100 (7), p.403-408
Main Author: Nyombolo, B.M., Neale, J.W. & Van Staden, P.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
BacTech
base metals extraction
bioleach liquors
bioleach plant
bioleach process
bioleach technology
copper-zinc bioleaching
gold extraction
Mintek
neutralisation
Pe�oles
refractory gold bioleaching
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Summary:Mintek has been involved in the development of bioleach technology for many years, initially for refractory gold extraction, and more recently also for base metals extraction. Mintek, in collaboration with its Australian technology partner (BacTech), is the technology provider for the Beaconsfield refractory gold bioleach plant. At present Mintek, BacTech and Pe�oles are constructing a demonstration bioleach plant for copper-zinc concentrate treatment. Bioleach liquors produced in all applications have to be neutralized. In the copper-zinc case, neutralization is required for bleeding iron from the circuit and for adjusting the pH value ahead of solvent extraction. In the refractory gold bioleach circuit, neutralization is required for producing a stable iron-arsenic residue. Some of the challenges encountered in each of these neutralization applications are discussed, and examples of results obtained are presented.
ISSN:0038-223X