ISSN:
1574-6976
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract: CRA has been developing bioleaching for the treatment of low-grade refractory gold resources. In lhe course of dcveloping a biolcach process for a pyrite concentrate at Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL), CRA has confronted the myriad of problems associated with proving a concept at a small scale, to the design of a conceptual flowsheet. A phased programme was initiated to develop the project. Laboratory scale batch studies indicated that the pyrite concentrate was amenable to bacterial leaching and subsequent cyanidatkm gold recovery. Large scale continuous leaching was then performed to delincate the major operating wtriables. In conjunction with this programme, CRA has also been addressing the problem of reactor scale-up. The success of the bioleach process is dependent on the design of large, energy-efficient reactors, with reactor sizes of the order of 1000 m3 contemplated. Results from these scale-up studies are presented in this paper.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6976.1993.tb00288.x
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