Investigation on Leaching of Copper Oxide Ore by Environmentally Friendly Methods

Copper oxide ores are usually leached in sulphuric acid solution. However, it has severe adverse impact on the environment. In this study, bioleaching and leaching by citric acid, as environmentally friendly methods, are investigated. The experiments were carried out on a copper oxide ore sample containing copper content of 3.4%. This sample does not contain any energy source to grow the conventional bioleaching microorganisms (like Thiobacillusferrooxidans and Thiobacillusthiooxidans). This sample was leached by a heterotrophic bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium produces organic acids in selected culture medium that operate as leaching agents. Leaching is investigated by citric acid, as an organic acid produced by this microorganism. The optimum bioleaching conditions were found as: glucose percentage of 6, bioleaching time 8 days and solid/liquid ratio of 1:80 and of optimum leaching conditions as: particle size range105-150µm, acid concentration of 0.2 M, 30 min dissolution time, solid/liquid ratio of 1:20 g/mL and temperature of 40°C. Under optimum bioleaching conditions 53 percent of copper was extracted and copper extraction under optimum leaching conditions was 92 percent.