Six heaps consisting of a freshly excavated copper mixed ore and intended for extraction of the copper by means of bacterial leaching were subjected to inoculation with acidophilic chemolithotrophic bacteria before the start of the process. The way of inoculation and the composition and amount of the inoculum were different for the different heaps but all essential parameters during the leaching were the same for all heaps. This resulted in different rates and levels of copper extraction from the heaps varying from 59. 0% to 81. 5% for a period of 610 days.
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