Processing of Sulfide Copper-Nickel Ores from the Deposits in Murmansk Region by Heap Leaching

The feasibility of processing low-grade copper-nickel ores by heap bioleaching was investigated. It found that an iron-oxidizing strain acidophilic microorganisms, Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans, is effective in the leaching sulfide from deposits Russia’s Murmansk region. Sulfide mineralization studied mineral feeds described using methods X-ray phase analysis and optical microscopy. In process leaching, pH Eh values concentrations ferric ferrous iron, nickel, copper ions were monitored. By end experiment, 16.5% nickel 7.5% recovered ore Allarechensk technogenic deposit, while 22.5% 12.7% Nud II deposit. silicate solid phase, patterns chemistry change during bioleaching.