Bioleaching of six nickel sulphide ores with differing mineralogies in stirred-tank reactors at 30 °C

Abstract A bioleaching study was conducted with six nickel sulphide ores from different geographical locations across Canada. Mineralogical and chemical examination revealed considerable variability between the samples, particularly in the silicate phases. The ores contain 0.3–1% nickel, primarily in pentlandite and secondarily in pyrrhotite. Copper is present primarily in chalcopyrite, and cobalt in pentlandite. The ores were subjected to the same crushing and grinding procedure, and bioleached under the same conditions for 3 weeks with a mixed culture of iron- and sulphur-oxidizing bacteria. Stirred-tank experiments with finely ground ore (−147 μm) at 30 °C were conducted to assess the effect of pH (2–5) and the impact of the bacteria. Nickel extraction from pentlandite and pyrrhotite during bioleaching at pH 2 and 3 was generally good (49–86% after 3 weeks), and cobalt extraction tracked nickel extraction over most conditions. All six ores showed a similar response to a change in pH; an increase in pH from 2 to 3 resulted in approximately the same nickel and cobalt extraction (within statistical error), and a statistically significant reduction in sulphuric acid consumption, dissolved iron, and magnesium extraction.