Microorganism used in bioleaching History Microorganisms Mechanism Types Advantage & disadvantage Reference Bioleaching Bioleaching is the simple and effective technology used for metal extraction from low grade ores and minerals concentrate by use of microorganisms

1. Microorganisms use in
bioleaching

2. Contents
1. Introduction
2. History
3. Microorganisms
4. Mechanism
5. Types
6. Advantage & disadvantage
7. Reference

3. Introduction

4. Bioleaching
Bioleaching is the simple and effective
technology used for metal extraction from
low grade ores and minerals concentrate by
use of microorganisms

5. • History
1947
1950
1960
80s
Role of
bacteria
Copper hump
Leaching
Industrial
bioleaching
1st Gold
bioleaching
WE ARE
THE BEST

6. Microorganisms involved
6
Good to Great.
Chemolithotrophic
Mesophile Extremophiles Moderate thermophile
A B C D

7. Most common miccroorganisms
7
Thiobacillus ferrooxidantsThiobacillus thiooxidants
• Rod shaped
• Quick growing
• Gram negative
• Strictly aerobic
• Uses ferric iron and sulfur ion
as electron acceptor
• Mesophilic (20-35°c)
• PH (2.0)
• Thiobacillus thiooxidans is
strictly aerobic species, fixes
CO2 from the atmosphere to
meet Its carbon requirement.
• Very similar to thiobacillus
ferrooxidanst.
• Can't oxidise ferric cation.

8. Miccroorganisms
8

9. Microorganisms - Fungi
9
Aspergillus niger:
Use in extraction of
Cu,
nickel,manganese
Aspergillus oryzae:
economically imp
For extraction of Gold

10. B
A
Mechanism involve in bioleaching
10
• Directly oxidize
• Physical
contact
• Enzymatic
action
Direct
• Indirect oxidize
• Indirect contact
• Oxidizing agent
as ferric &
sulfuric ion
Indirect

11. Factors affecting Bioleaching
11
Temperature2 Humidity 3
Controlling PH1 CO2 & O2.
Conc
4

12. Types of bioleaching
12
• Water containing
microorganisms sprincle
• Water collected at bottom &
Extract metal
Ore arrange in large heap
And subjected to treatment
as in slopes leaching
Ore placed in water containing
microorganisms is pumped
through drilled passage in most
blasting in rock
1)Slope
2)Heap
3) In Situ

13. Advantage of bioleaching
13
Good to Great.
Simple &
inexpensive
Recovery from low
grade ores
No requirement of
high pressure &
temperature
Environment
friendly process
No poisonous gas
emissions
Ideal for
developmening
country

14. Disadvantage of bioleaching
14
1. The heat create from
the dissolving
process can kill the
bacteria.
2. Time consuming
( 6-24 months or
longer).
3. Low yield of minerals-
Requires a large open
area for treatment.
4. High risk of
contamination.

15. Reference
15
• Microbial Ecology
- Atlas and Bartha
• Introduction of Environmental
biotechnology by AK Chatterjee
• Satarupa Roy, Madhumita
roy(2015). Bioleaching of heavy
metals by sulfur oxidizingbacteria,
international research journal of
environment sciences,Vol. 4(9),
pp.75

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