Metal leaching from Kupferschiefer using bulk and biotechnologically produced organic acids


Metal leaching from Kupferschiefer using bulk and biotechnologically produced organic acids

Kostudis, S.; Bachmann, K.; Kutschke, S.; Pollmann, K.; Gutzmer, J.

The European Kupferschiefer deposits constitute a challenging local resource of base metals such as copper. In order to exploit them both efficiently and environmentally benignly, biotechnological leaching approaches are investigated. Commonly used acidophilic bioleaching is limited by high carbonate content of up to 18 % resulting in an increased pH value of more than 2. Hence, alternative processes such as neutral leaching are tested. We could show that using organic acids in neutral pH range has a higher leaching impact than in acidic milieu.
The paper summarises research results on bioleaching of copper from Kupferschiefer ore in neutral to alkaline environment: Glutamic and citric acid were investigated regarding their leaching performance depending on pH, particle size and temperature. Furthermore the leaching performance of biotechnologically produced citric acid was investigated. For that purpose the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica was grown on raw glycerol, and leaching effect of the cultivation supernatant was ascertained.

  • Lecture (Conference)
    Biohydromet'16, 20.-22.06.2016, Falmouth, United Kingdom

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-23407
Publ.-Id: 23407