Elimination of toxic factors in leachate to enhance biooxidation of sulfide ores

Toxic substances in On solutions can retard biological leaching of sulfide dump ores. On solutions were analyzed for metals, organics and chloride and showed inhibitory concentrations of aluminum, manganese and chloride. Inhibition of bacterial activity by the solid fraction of On solution, with and without the organic constituents, was evaluated. Bacterial toxicity was evaluated by monitoring bacterial numbers, pH, Eh, and rates of iron oxidation. The On solution solids were toxic at 50% to 60% of their field concentration. Most of the toxicity of the On solution was due to the organic fraction. Different solvent extraction (SX) reagents show varying degrees of inhibition of T.ferrooxidans. Bacterial inhibitory effects of carriers and lixiviants used in the SX plant should be determined so that entrained SX reagents do not retard biological dump leach systems. The reagents used should be the most cost-effective and the least toxic.