2004 Arthur and Dorothy Sigel Lecture Series

Bio-processing Applications in the Mining Industry:
Copper Extraction and Environmental Remediation Case Studies

Mr. Larry R. Todd- Manager, Leaching & Environmental
Phelps Dodge Mining Company-Process Technology
Center

Bio-processing Applications in the Mining Industry:
Copper Extraction and Environmental Remediation Case Studies
The growth of commercial applications using naturally occurring bacteria in metal recovery and environmental remediation processes is becoming increasingly important to the mining industry. Oxidizing bacteria assist in liberating metal from sulfide ores and create the chemical conditions required to optimize the hydrometallurgical extraction of sulfide copper minerals. Reducing bacteria are increasingly used in passive process applications to reduce sulfate levels in wastewater streams or in high rate bioreactors to produce biogenic sulfide that can precipitate dissolved metals for commercial recovery. Case studies for copper extraction from ores using bacteria assisted leaching, and a novel process for metal recovery from solution using biologically produced sulfide will be presented.

This Lecture Series is supported by endowed gift from Arthur’63 and Dorothy’64 Sigel

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