A method for biohydrometallurgischen extraction of cobalt and nickel of sulfidic ores, concentrates and synthetic sulfides

摘要

1382357 Biohydrometallurgical extraction of cobalt and nickel CANADA MINISTER DES RICHESSES NATURELLES 6 Dec 1972 [26 Jan 1972] 56208/72 Heading C1A Cobalt and/or nickel are extracted from their sulphides by (1) contacting the ground sulphides with an aqueous nutrient medium containing bacteri (e.g. Thiohacillus ferrooxidans) capable of oxidizing the sulphides whilst agitating the medium and aerating it with air enriched in carbon dioxide which acts as a carbon source for the growth of the bacteria (2) grinding the product of the leaching step and (3) repeating the first leaching step on the ground product. The sulphides may contain iron and excess iron may be removed from the leach solution by adding ammonia to precipitate basic ferric sulphate.