Biomineral Processing for Extraction of Copper Metal from Lean Ore of Malanjkhand Copper Project

Abstract

Bioprocessing for metal recovery from different oxidic and sulphidic ores and concentrates is considered very attractive in view of low energy consumption and enviro-nmentally benign option.The present work is carried out to recover copper from lean grade copper ore (0.3% Cu) of Malanjkhand Copper Project (MCP). In Malanjkhand Copper mine rich ore containing 0.9 to 1.0% Cu is currently beneficiated. Lean grade ore with 0.3-0.4% copper, which is adjacent to the rich grade ore, may be utilized to meet the growing demand of the country. The conventional processes are not suitable to treat this low grade ore as the desired grade with acceptable yield can not be achieved. Therefore bioleaching may be opted for recovery of copper along with some other valuable metals from the lean ore. Different parameters such as pH, temperature, pulp density,particle size, etc; were studied to optimise the process.