Microbial leaching of sulphide ores

摘要

The extraction of metals from ores and the upgrading of ores by a process of bacterial leaching is improved when the material to be treated contains a sulphide and, prior to the leaching, is roasted to remove part of the sulphur present in the sulphide. Preferably the material to be treated contains 10 to 70% by weight of sulphide, sulphide being added if necessary, and preferably from 10 to 25% of the sulphur in the sulphide is removed by the roasting.