Abstract
The H2020 BioMOre project (www.biomore.info, Grant Agreement #642456) tests the feasibility of in-situ bioleaching of copper in deep subsurface deposits in the Rudna Mine, Poland. Copper is leached using biologically produced ferric iron solution, which is recycled back to the in-situ reactor after re-oxidation by iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB). From a post operational point of view, it is important that the biological processes applied during the operation can be controlled and terminated. Our goal was to determine the possibility to use natural saline mine water for the inactivation of introduced IOB remaining in the in-situ reactor after completion of the leaching process of the Kupferschiefer ore. Aerobic and anaerobic microcosms containing acid-leached (pH 2) sandstone or black shale from the Kupferschiefer in the Rudna mine were further leached with the effluent from an iron-oxidizing bioreactor, at a temperature of 30°C, for 10 days, to simulate in-situ leaching. After the removal of the iron solution, residing IOB were inactivated by filling the microcosms with saline water (65 g L -1 Cl -) originating from the mine. The saline water completely inactivated the IOB and the naturally occurring saline water of the mine can be used for long-term post process inactivation of bioleaching microorganisms.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 22nd International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium |
Editors | Sabrina Hedrich, Kathrin Rübberdt, Franz Glombitza, Wolfgang Sand, Axel Schippers, Mario Vera Véliz, Sabine Willscher |
Pages | 57-60 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2017 |
MoE publication type | A4 Article in a conference publication |
Publication series
Series | Solid State Phenomena |
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Volume | 262 |
ISSN | 1012-0394 |
Funding
Suvi Aalto (VTT) is thanked for excellent laboratory assistance. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program under Grant Agreement # 642456, BioMOre project.
Keywords
- In situ bioleaching
- inactivation
- iron-oxidizing bacteria