Selective bio-lixiviation of zinc from copper-zinc concentrates

摘要

In the known process for (a) selective lixiviation of zinc from a semi-global copper-zinc concentrate, using ferric sulphate at low concn. as lixiviating agent; (b) oxidn. and regeneration of the liquor; (c) recycling the liquor to the lixiviation reactor with a corresp. charge of copper and zinc; (d) treatment of the liquor by solvent extraction; and (e) recovery of zinc by electrolysis, the exhausted liquor is regenerated in stage (b) by contact with a bacterial film of thiobacillus ferrooxidans supported on an inert solid.