دانلود رایگان ترجمه مقاله کاربرد کانه شویی زیستی استخراج معدن مس در شیلی (نشریه SciELO 2013)

کاربرد کانه شویی زیستی استخراج معدن مس در شیلی

Application of bioleaching to copper mining in Chile

Abstract

Background: Bioleaching of minerals is a process that allows the treatment of insoluble sulphides and insoluble oxides via hydrometallurgy, as opposed to the more traditional technology of pyrometallurgy. Bioleaching presents several technological, environmental and economic advantages as compared with pyrometallurgy, as well as some limitations. Results: In this work a general panorama of copper mining and biomining, the influence of the most relevant operating variables and their present and future situation in Chile are presented and discussed. Conclusions: Today, Chile plays an important role in the development and commercial application of bioleaching to copper ores. This background information allows predicting a brilliant future for this technology in Chile, as has been forecasted in the last years.

1 Introduction

Bioleaching of minerals is the oxidative selective solubilization of mineral species mediated by the action of microorganisms. Different alternative names are also used, such a bacterial leaching, microbial leaching, and biooxidation, all of them part of what is known as biohydrometallurgy or biomining. This process allows the treatment of insoluble sulphides and insoluble oxides via hydrometallurgy, as opposed to the more traditional technology of pyrometallurgy. Bioleaching presents the following advantages as compared with pyrometallurgy: simple and low cost equipments, apt for treating low grade or waste ores, low energy requirement, and no atmospheric contamination. Its main disadvantages are low reaction rates and productivities, requirement of extensive grounds, and current inadequacy for treating primary sulphides.

Chile plays an important role in the development and application of bioleaching of copper ores, and in the following sections a general panorama of the past, present and future of this technology in Chilean mines is presented, together with a discussion of the main variables involved in the process.