Thermophilic vs. mesophilic bioleaching process performance

Mesophilic and thermophilic mineral oxidising microbial cultures were compared for their capacity to leach both a complex pyritic and an arsenopyritic ore, aiming at copper and gold recovery, respectively. The mesophilic cultures are primarily based on the activity of Thiobacillus-type microorganisms, while the thermophile characteristics place them in the sulphur metabolizers branch df Archaebacteria. Study of key process variables and determination of their optimum values were carried out to provide a basis for significant physiological and technical comparison. Each microbial culture finds a preferential process application, depending on the choice of the reactor and ore.