Thin-layer heap bioleaching of copper flotation tailings containing high levels of fine grains and microbial community succession analysis

Xiao-dong Hao; Yi-li Liang; Hua-qun Yin; Hong-wei Liu; Wei-min Zeng; Xue-duan Liu

doi:10.1007/s12613-017-1415-4

Volume 24 Issue 4

Apr. 2017

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Article Navigation > International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials > 2017 > 24(4): 360-368

Xiao-dong Hao, Yi-li Liang, Hua-qun Yin, Hong-wei Liu, Wei-min Zeng, and Xue-duan Liu, Thin-layer heap bioleaching of copper flotation tailings containing high levels of fine grains and microbial community succession analysis, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 24(2017), No. 4, pp. 360-368. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1415-4

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Xiao-dong Hao, Yi-li Liang, Hua-qun Yin, Hong-wei Liu, Wei-min Zeng, and Xue-duan Liu, Thin-layer heap bioleaching of copper flotation tailings containing high levels of fine grains and microbial community succession analysis, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 24(2017), No. 4, pp. 360-368. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1415-4

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Research Article

Thin-layer heap bioleaching of copper flotation tailings containing high levels of fine grains and microbial community succession analysis

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Corresponding authors:
Yi-li Liang E-mail: liangyili@hotmail.com

Xue-duan Liu E-mail: xueduanliu@yahoo.com
Received: 16 August 2016; Revised: 5 December 2016; Accepted: 7 December 2016

Abstract

Abstract

Thin-layer heap bioleaching of copper flotation tailings containing high levels of fine grains was carried out by mixed cultures on a small scale over a period of 210 d. Lump ores as a framework were loaded at the bottom of the ore heap. The overall copper leaching rates of tailings and lump ores were 57.10wt% and 65.52wt%, respectively. The dynamic shifts of microbial community structures about attached microorganisms were determined using the Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform based on 16S rRNA amplification strategy. The results indicated that chemolithotrophic genera Acidithiobacillus and Leptospirillum were always detected and dominated the microbial community in the initial and middle stages of the heap bioleaching process; both genera might be responsible for improving the copper extraction. However, Thermogymnomonas and Ferroplasma increased gradually in the final stage. Moreover, the effects of various physicochemical parameters and microbial community shifts on the leaching efficiency were further investigated and these associations provided some important clues for facilitating the effective application of bioleaching.
- bioleaching;
- copper;
- flotation;
- tailings

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