A PROCESS FOR THE BIOCHEMICAL LEACHING OF COPPER AS COPPER SULPHATE FROM COPPERBEARING ORES AND WASTE MATERIALS AVAILABLE NEAR ORE MINES AND ROCKS

摘要

A process for biochemical leaching of copper as copper sulphate from copper bearing ores and waste materials available near ore mines and rocks comprising leaching with an aqueous solution containing iron and sulphur oxidizing bacteria like Thiobacillus ferroidans or sulfooxidans naturally occurring in the ores and / or mine water at pH in the range of 3 to 2 and at a temperature of 25-35 degree Celsius under aerobic conditions.