Modeling heap biooxidation of arsenic-bearing gold ore

Abstract

To design heap biooxidation process, it is necessary to understand its internal rules. The heap biooxidation of gold ore from Anhui province was researched in this study. The results showed that the main microorganisms in the heap were A. ferrooxidans, F. acidiphilum and L. ferrodiazotrophum. Under their combined action, gold leaching extent rose from 35.62% to 78.08% in 80 d. Boltzmann model matches the actual oxidation effect better and the model equations were obtained. The model predicted that the oxidation extents of arsenic and sulfur are 58.577% and 42.122% after one year, and the gold leaching extent was 80.40%. The arsenic and sulfur oxidation extents, and gold leaching extent were all linearly correlated. It is more reliable to predict gold leaching extent by sulfur oxidation extent. These results provided good guidance for practical application in the actual production.

Keywords

heap biooxidation / gold ore / microbial community / fitting / correlativity

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