Publisher's Synopsis
This is the first book to deal exclusively with an important new method of metal extraction from mineral sources (ores and concentrates) by the new technology of bacterial oxidation. It covers all aspects of the subject from the fundamental principles through to its commercial exploitation. It will be useful for industrialists in mining and metallurgy, for geologists and for special topics courses in inorganic chemistry, microbiology, metallurgy, mineral processing, biotechnology and chemical engineering.;It covers research, development and applications and it describes the technology from basic mechanisms to plant-scale testing. There is discussion of those processes which make use of bacterial oxidation technology - dump, heap, vat and tank leaching - either to liberate metals from refractory minerals or to extract them as aqueous solutions. Each process has its own characteristics and requires specific testing of the target materials. Operational engineering difficulties are discussed and solutions are suggested. The commercial and industrial status and importance of bacterials oxidation technology are shown with an assessment of its advantages over competing present-day methods.;The most important metals whose extraction can be so enhanced are gold, silver and copper. The technology is applicable to any deposit containing metal sulfides or arsenosulfides and even to oxide ores which contain iron pyrite. There is no atmospheric pollution and the waste products can be stored in an environmentally safe manner.
