Economic viability of bacterial leaching-A management research viewpoint

Abstract

Bacterial leaching as an process to the other chemical leaching techniques in the extractive metallurgy of non-ferrous metals, particularly of copper, zinc and uranium, is under the development stage today. Data obtained by research institutes all over the world indicate a trend for its adoption in many instances because of its simplicity of operation, costs and its suitability in specific conditions. As an additional source of uranium from the earlier discarded dumps in Portugal as an alternative to the chemical leaching and technique for copper in Canada bacterial leaching has shown its value as a process in dealing with low grade ores as well as concentrates.