PROCESS TO INCREASE THE BIOLEACHING SPEED OF ORES OR CONCENTRATES OF SULFIDE METAL SPECIES, BY MEANS OF CONTINUOUS INOCULATION WITH LEACHING SOLUTION THAT CONTAINS ISOLATED MICROORGANISMS, WITH OR WITHOUT PRESENCE OF NATIVE MICROORGANISMS.

摘要

The invention publishes a process to increase the bioleaching speed of ores or concentrates of sulfide metal species in heaps, tailing dams, dumps, or other on-site operations. The process is characterized by the continuous inoculation of the ores or concentrates with isolated microorganisms of the Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans type, together with isolated microorganisms of the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans type, with or without native microorganisms, in such a way that the total concentration of microorganisms in the continuous inoculation flow is of around 1x107 cells/ml to 5,6x107 cells/ml. In particular, the invention publishes the continuous inoculation of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Licanantay DSM 17318 together with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Wenelen DSM 16786 microorganisms, or with other native microorganisms at a concentration higher than 5x107 cells/ml.; In addition to the inoculation of isolated bacteria, the invention includes the addition of oxidizing agents such as the ferric ion produced externally, together with nutrients in the shape of salts of ammonium, magnesium, iron, potassium, as well as air enriched continuously with carbon dioxide to promote bacterial action in the bioleaching process of ores or concentrates.