Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities

Ronald Ngulube

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11

| Peer-Reviewed

Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities

Ronald Ngulube

Published in International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy (Volume 1, Issue 4)

Received: 13 July 2016 Accepted: 10 August 2016 Published: 5 September 2016

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

The consumption of copper worldwide has grown fast since 2000; the mining industry is increasingly faced with the necessity to process low grade ores and waste tailings, from current mining operations. The economic extraction of copper from low-grade ores requires low-cost processing methods such as biohydrometallurgy. This study looks at a general panorama of copper mining in Zambia and discusses biohydrometallurgy as a novel and economically viable process for copper extraction. It also presents future prospects of this technology in Zambia. Since early 1930s, the copper mining industry has been the economic and social pillar of Zambia with about 80% contribution to the total export earnings and about 13% Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Mineralisation in the Zambian Copperbelt is dominantly sulphide, comprising of chalcopyrite, bornite and chalcocite among others with grades of the ore deposits generally in the range of 3 - 4% copper and 0.1 - 0.2% cobalt. Huge low grade copper deposits (~0.67% Cu) which are dominantly sulphides (chalcopyrite) were recently discovered in Lumwana area in the North-western Zambia and are currently being exploited. Reports show that more than one billion tons of ore (c.2.7% Cu) has so far been mined from the mines on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia and conservative estimates suggest that a further two billion tons await exploitation. This provides considerable opportunities for further exploration and mining in Zambia. However, there is currently no commercial copper processing plants in operation on a large-scale in Zambia via biohydrometallurgical process. In order for Zambian mining industry to considerably improve recoveries at inherently lower capital cost, there is need to focus effort on research in this innovative technology and its application.

Published in	International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy (Volume 1, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11
Page(s)	19-25
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2016. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Biohydrometallurgy, Bioleaching, Copper Mining, Mining in Zambia

References

[1]	K. Dreschler ng-Jin, A. Ata. “Biohydrometallurgy and Biomineral Processing. Small Scale Mining and Sustainable Development within the SADC Region”, pp. 102, 2001
[2]	M. I. Lydall, A. Auchterlonie, “The Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia: A Growing Global ‘Hotspot’ for Copper-Cobalt Mineral Investment and Exploitation”, the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 6th Southern Africa Base Metals Conference, 2011.
[3]	Copper Organisation, “Copper production from ore to finished products”, 2001. Available: http://www.copper.org/general/g_prod.htm
[4]	A. K. Biswas and W. G. Davenport, Extractive metallurgy of copper, 3 rd ed. Oxford: Pergamon, 1994.
[5]	S. G. Chandra, S. Haragobinda, J. K. Dong, A. Ata. (October 2012). Biohydrometallurgy and Biomineral Processing Technology: A Review on its Past, Present and Future. Research Journal of Recent Sciences, 1(10): 85-99. Available: http://www.isca.in/rjrs/archive/v1i10/15.ISCA-RJRS-2012-329.pdf
[6]	M. Richards, B. Nisbet, “The Geology of the Mwombezhi Dome and Malundwe and Chimiwungo Copper Deposits Northwest Province Zambia,” Volume 1, 2003.
[7]	Environmental Council of Zambia, “Zambia Environment Outlook 3”, 2008.
[8]	C. S. Gahan, H. Srichandan, D. Kim, A. Akcil. (October 2012). Biohydrometallurgy and Biomineral Processing Technology: A Review on its Past, Present and Future. Research Journal of Recent Sciences, 1(10): 85-99.
[9]	A. Simpasa, D. Hailu, S. Levine, R. J. Tibana, “UNDP - Capturing Mineral Revenues in Zambia: Past Trends and Future Prospects”, August 2013. Available: http://www.un.org/en/land-natural-resources-conflict/pdfs/capturing-mineral-revenues-zambia.pdf
[10]	C. L. Brierley, “Management in Action-Biomining:Biomining Beckons”, Mining Magazine, 201: 324-328, 2010.
[11]	H. R. Watling. (2006). The bioleaching of sulphide minerals with emphasis on copper sulphides — a review. Hydrometallurgy, 84: 81–108.
[12]	J. A. Brierley, C. L. Brierley. (2001). Present and future commercial applications of biohydrometallurgy. Hydrometallurgy, pp. 233-239.
[13]	C. L. Brierley. (2010). Biohydrometallurgical prospects. Hydrometallurgy, 104: 324-328.
[14]	A. P. Briggs, M. Millards, “Cobalt recovery using bacterial leaching at the Kasese Project”, Uganda IBS Biomine, pp. 97. M2, 1997.
[15]	D. E. Rawlings, D. Dew, C. Du Plessis. (2003). Biomineralization of metal-containing ores and concentrates. Trends in Biotechnology, 21: 38-44.
[16]	Copper Organisation, “Copper in the USA: bright future-glorious past”, 2001. Available: http://www.copper.org/general/g_fact.htm
[17]	Metorex, “Executive Summary of the Competent Persons' Report and Valuation Statement of Chibuluma Mines Plc in the Republic of Zambia”, 2009.
[18]	D. Selley, D. Broughton, R. Scott, M. Hitzman, S. Bull, R. Large, P. McGoldrick, M. Croacker, N. Pollington, F Barra, “A New Look at The Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt. Economic Geology”, 100: 965-1000, 2005.
[19]	D. S, Mashbir. “Heap leaching of low-grade uranium ore” Min. Cong. J. 50: 50-54, 1964.
[20]	L. C. Bryner, R. Anderson. (1957). Microoganisms in Leaching Sulfide Minerals”, Ind. Eng. Chem., 49: 1721-1724, 1957
[21]	D. Mishra, D. J. Kim, J. G. Ahn, Y. H. Rhee. (2005). Bioleaching: A microbial process of metal recovery; A review”. Met. Mat. Int., 11: 249-256.
[22]	D. E. Rawlings. “Heavy Metal Mining Using Microbes”. Annual Reviews in Microbiology, 56: 65-91, 2002.
[23]	I. Palencia, R. Romero, A. Mazuelos, F. Carranza. (2002). Treatment of secondary copper sulphides (chalcocite and covellite) by the BRISA process. Hydrometallurgy, 66: 85-93.
[24]	C. L. Brierly. (2005). Bioleaching, acessscience@MacGraw-Hill. Available: http://www.acessscience.com.
[25]	D. Rawlings. (2005). Characteristics and adaptability of iron and sulphur – oxidizing microorganisms used for the recovery of metals from mineral concentrates. Microbial Factory, 4: 13.
[26]	G. J. Olson, J. A. Brierley, C. L. Brierley. (2007). Bioleaching review part B: Progress in bioleaching: applications of microbial processes by the minerals industries. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 63: 249–257.
[27]	J. Petersen, Dixon. (2007). Modelling Zinc heap bioleaching. Hydrometallurgy, 85: 127-143.
[28]	T. Ojumu, J. Petersen, G. Searby, G. Hansford. (2006). A review of rate equations proposed for microbial ferrous-iron oxidation with a view to application to heap bioleaching. Hydrometallurgy, 83: 21-28.
[29]	M. P. Silverman, D. G. Lundgren. (1959). Studies on the chemolithotrophic iron bacterium Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans: an improved medium and a harvesting procedure for securing high cell yields. Journal of Bateriology, 77: 642-647.
[30]	H. Brandl. (2001). Microbial leaching of metals. Biotechnology, 10: 191–224.
[31]	A. Schippers, W. Sand. (1999). Bacterial leaching of metal sulfides proceeds by two indirect mechanisms via thiosulfate or via polysulfides and sulfur. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 65: 319-321.
[32]	F. Battaglia, D. Morin, P. Ollivier. (1994). Dissolution of cobaltiferous pyrite by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Thiobacillus thiooxidans: factors influencing bacterial leaching efficiency. Journal of Biotechnology, 32: 11-16.
[33]	Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development, “Zambia Investment Opportunities in the Mining Industry”, 2015.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Ronald Ngulube. (2016). Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities. International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, 1(4), 19-25. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Ronald Ngulube. Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities. Int. J. Miner. Process. Extr. Metall. 2016, 1(4), 19-25. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Ronald Ngulube. Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities. Int J Miner Process Extr Metall. 2016;1(4):19-25. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11,
  author = {Ronald Ngulube},
  title = {Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities},
  journal = {International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy},
  volume = {1},
  number = {4},
  pages = {19-25},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmpem.20160104.11},
  abstract = {The consumption of copper worldwide has grown fast since 2000; the mining industry is increasingly faced with the necessity to process low grade ores and waste tailings, from current mining operations. The economic extraction of copper from low-grade ores requires low-cost processing methods such as biohydrometallurgy. This study looks at a general panorama of copper mining in Zambia and discusses biohydrometallurgy as a novel and economically viable process for copper extraction. It also presents future prospects of this technology in Zambia. Since early 1930s, the copper mining industry has been the economic and social pillar of Zambia with about 80% contribution to the total export earnings and about 13% Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Mineralisation in the Zambian Copperbelt is dominantly sulphide, comprising of chalcopyrite, bornite and chalcocite among others with grades of the ore deposits generally in the range of 3 - 4% copper and 0.1 - 0.2% cobalt. Huge low grade copper deposits (~0.67% Cu) which are dominantly sulphides (chalcopyrite) were recently discovered in Lumwana area in the North-western Zambia and are currently being exploited. Reports show that more than one billion tons of ore (c.2.7% Cu) has so far been mined from the mines on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia and conservative estimates suggest that a further two billion tons await exploitation. This provides considerable opportunities for further exploration and mining in Zambia. However, there is currently no commercial copper processing plants in operation on a large-scale in Zambia via biohydrometallurgical process. In order for Zambian mining industry to considerably improve recoveries at inherently lower capital cost, there is need to focus effort on research in this innovative technology and its application.},
 year = {2016}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities
AU  - Ronald Ngulube
Y1  - 2016/09/05
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11
T2  - International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
JF  - International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
JO  - International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
SP  - 19
EP  - 25
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1859
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11
AB  - The consumption of copper worldwide has grown fast since 2000; the mining industry is increasingly faced with the necessity to process low grade ores and waste tailings, from current mining operations. The economic extraction of copper from low-grade ores requires low-cost processing methods such as biohydrometallurgy. This study looks at a general panorama of copper mining in Zambia and discusses biohydrometallurgy as a novel and economically viable process for copper extraction. It also presents future prospects of this technology in Zambia. Since early 1930s, the copper mining industry has been the economic and social pillar of Zambia with about 80% contribution to the total export earnings and about 13% Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Mineralisation in the Zambian Copperbelt is dominantly sulphide, comprising of chalcopyrite, bornite and chalcocite among others with grades of the ore deposits generally in the range of 3 - 4% copper and 0.1 - 0.2% cobalt. Huge low grade copper deposits (~0.67% Cu) which are dominantly sulphides (chalcopyrite) were recently discovered in Lumwana area in the North-western Zambia and are currently being exploited. Reports show that more than one billion tons of ore (c.2.7% Cu) has so far been mined from the mines on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia and conservative estimates suggest that a further two billion tons await exploitation. This provides considerable opportunities for further exploration and mining in Zambia. However, there is currently no commercial copper processing plants in operation on a large-scale in Zambia via biohydrometallurgical process. In order for Zambian mining industry to considerably improve recoveries at inherently lower capital cost, there is need to focus effort on research in this innovative technology and its application.
VL  - 1
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Ronald Ngulube

Department of Chemical Engineering, Copperbelt University, Kitwe, Zambia

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Ronald Ngulube. (2016). Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities. International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, 1(4), 19-25. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Ronald Ngulube. Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities. Int. J. Miner. Process. Extr. Metall. 2016, 1(4), 19-25. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Ronald Ngulube. Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities. Int J Miner Process Extr Metall. 2016;1(4):19-25. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11,
  author = {Ronald Ngulube},
  title = {Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities},
  journal = {International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy},
  volume = {1},
  number = {4},
  pages = {19-25},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmpem.20160104.11},
  abstract = {The consumption of copper worldwide has grown fast since 2000; the mining industry is increasingly faced with the necessity to process low grade ores and waste tailings, from current mining operations. The economic extraction of copper from low-grade ores requires low-cost processing methods such as biohydrometallurgy. This study looks at a general panorama of copper mining in Zambia and discusses biohydrometallurgy as a novel and economically viable process for copper extraction. It also presents future prospects of this technology in Zambia. Since early 1930s, the copper mining industry has been the economic and social pillar of Zambia with about 80% contribution to the total export earnings and about 13% Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Mineralisation in the Zambian Copperbelt is dominantly sulphide, comprising of chalcopyrite, bornite and chalcocite among others with grades of the ore deposits generally in the range of 3 - 4% copper and 0.1 - 0.2% cobalt. Huge low grade copper deposits (~0.67% Cu) which are dominantly sulphides (chalcopyrite) were recently discovered in Lumwana area in the North-western Zambia and are currently being exploited. Reports show that more than one billion tons of ore (c.2.7% Cu) has so far been mined from the mines on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia and conservative estimates suggest that a further two billion tons await exploitation. This provides considerable opportunities for further exploration and mining in Zambia. However, there is currently no commercial copper processing plants in operation on a large-scale in Zambia via biohydrometallurgical process. In order for Zambian mining industry to considerably improve recoveries at inherently lower capital cost, there is need to focus effort on research in this innovative technology and its application.},
 year = {2016}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Application of Biohydrometallurgy to Copper Mining in Zambia: Prospects and Opportunities
AU  - Ronald Ngulube
Y1  - 2016/09/05
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11
T2  - International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
JF  - International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
JO  - International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
SP  - 19
EP  - 25
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1859
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20160104.11
AB  - The consumption of copper worldwide has grown fast since 2000; the mining industry is increasingly faced with the necessity to process low grade ores and waste tailings, from current mining operations. The economic extraction of copper from low-grade ores requires low-cost processing methods such as biohydrometallurgy. This study looks at a general panorama of copper mining in Zambia and discusses biohydrometallurgy as a novel and economically viable process for copper extraction. It also presents future prospects of this technology in Zambia. Since early 1930s, the copper mining industry has been the economic and social pillar of Zambia with about 80% contribution to the total export earnings and about 13% Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Mineralisation in the Zambian Copperbelt is dominantly sulphide, comprising of chalcopyrite, bornite and chalcocite among others with grades of the ore deposits generally in the range of 3 - 4% copper and 0.1 - 0.2% cobalt. Huge low grade copper deposits (~0.67% Cu) which are dominantly sulphides (chalcopyrite) were recently discovered in Lumwana area in the North-western Zambia and are currently being exploited. Reports show that more than one billion tons of ore (c.2.7% Cu) has so far been mined from the mines on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia and conservative estimates suggest that a further two billion tons await exploitation. This provides considerable opportunities for further exploration and mining in Zambia. However, there is currently no commercial copper processing plants in operation on a large-scale in Zambia via biohydrometallurgical process. In order for Zambian mining industry to considerably improve recoveries at inherently lower capital cost, there is need to focus effort on research in this innovative technology and its application.
VL  - 1
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download