Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc

Zambrano Johanna; Zambrano Johnny

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12

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Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc

Zambrano Johanna, Zambrano Johnny

Published in International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy (Volume 4, Issue 2)

Received: 16 July 2019 Accepted: 12 August 2019 Published: 2 September 2019

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Abstract

Bioleaching comprises the use of microorganisms for metal-extraction processes from sulphide ores. During these complex processes, sulphides are oxidized to sulphates with the generation of heat. As a result, gold, silver, and other precious metals are liberated from the sulphide matrix, improving their recovery after further processing. A drawback of bioleaching processes is the generation of significant amounts of acid solutions with high heavy metal concentrations. If untreated, these acid solutions may alter the physical and chemical characteristics of water and its surroundings, with high impact to aquatic ecosystems. High heavy metal concentrations in solution may also result in pollution to living organisms. A feasible method to treat bioleaching-generated solutions is selective precipitation. This investigation presents the conditions for a successful individual recovery of the main base metals contained in a bioleaching solution with high copper, zinc, and iron concentrations by pH-based selective precipitation. Tests were made with standard solutions of known concentrations of copper, iron, lead and zinc and by titration the concentrations were checked; which allowed to validate the volumetric titration method. The selective precipitation of heavy metals was carried out in three phases using real acid main drainage and bioleaching solutions generated at the laboratory. The first phase in a pH range of 2 to 4 to recover iron; the second phase in a pH range of 4 to 6 to recover copper; and the third phase in a pH range of 6 to 10 to recover zinc. The selective precipitation allowed the heavy metals to be completely removed from the solution or to achieve concentrations below the maximum allowable limit to be discharged to a body of water or public sewer. Results portray that the variation of pH is an effective method, easy to use and not expensive, feasible to be used in the purification of waters that have been polluted with heavy metals.

Published in	International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy (Volume 4, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12
Page(s)	44-50
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), 2019. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Bioleaching, Precious Metals, Selective Recovery, Effluent Treatment

References

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[3]	Ley de Minería, Nº 45, 2009. Registro Oficial Suplemento 517. Quito, Ecuador. 29 de enero de 2009.
[4]	Ministerio de Minería, 2016. Plan nacional de desarrollo del sector minero. Quito, Ecuador.
[5]	Villas Boas R., Sánchez M., 2006. Clean Technologies for the mining industry. CYTED: Rio de Janeiro, pp. 78-80.
[6]	Barrie J., 2006. Biohydrometallurgy and the enviroment: Intimate and important interplay. Hydrometallurgy, 83, pp. 153-166.
[7]	Córdoba E. M., Muñoz J. A., Blázquez M. L., González F., Ballester A., 2008. Leaching of chalcopyrite with ferric ions. Part II: effect of redox potential. Hydrometallurgy, 93, pp. 88–96.
[8]	LIFE-ETAD Project, 2016. Acid mine Drainage (AMD) in LIFE-ETAD Project, Ecological Treatment of Acid Drainge. Access: http://www.life-etad.com/index.php/es/drenajes-acidos-de-minas-amd.
[9]	FUNSAD, Fundación Salud Ambiente y Desarrollo, 2007. Impactos en el ambiente y la salud por la minería del oro a pequeña escala en el Ecuador (segunda fase): informe final.
[10]	GAD CPE, Gobierno Autónomo Descentraluzado del Cantón Ponce Enriquez, 2017. Protección de Fuentes y Zonas de Recarga Hídrica, para las Captaciones de Agua para Consumo Humano. Registro Oficial Nº 07. Quito. Ecuador. 05 de junio de 2017.
[11]	Durán W., Vásconez L., 2015. Evaluación ambiental de la cuenca del río Gala del cantón Ponce Enríquez. Universidad Politécnica Salesiana. Azuay. Ecuador.
[12]	Moreno C., Chaparro E., 2009. Las leyes generales del ambiente y los códigos de la minería de los paises andinos. Instructivo de gestión ambiental y minero ambiental, CEPAL Naciones Unidas: Santiago de Chile, pp. 29-38.
[13]	Ismael M., Carvalho J., 2003. Iron recovery from sulphate leach liquors in cinc hydrometallurgy, Minerals engineering, pp. 31-39.
[14]	Langová S., Matýsek D., 2010. Cinc recovery from steel-making wastes by acid pressure leaching and hematite precipitation, Hydrometallurgy, pp. 171–173.
[15]	Ospina G., García de Ossa J., Martinez Yepes P., 2010. Gravimetría y Volumetría / Fundamentación Experimental en Química Analítica, Editorial Elizcom, pp. 150.
[16]	He Z., Yin Z., Wang X., Zhong H., Sun W., 2012. Microbial community changes during the process of pyrite bioleaching. Hydrometallurgy, 125-126 (3), pp. 81–89.
[17]	Levenspiel O., 2004. Ingeniería de las reacciones químicas. 3^ª ed. México, Limusa Wiley, 669 pp.
[18]	Sepúlveda V, T., Velasco T, J., De la Rosa P, D., 2005. Suelos contaminados por metales y metaloides: muestreo y alternativas para su remediación, Instituto Nacional de Ecología: México, pp. 99-101.
[19]	Nurmi P., Özkaya B., Sasaki K., Kaksonen A. H., et al., 2009. Biooxidation and precipitation for iron and sulfate removal from heap bioleaching effluent streams, Hydrometallurgy, pp. 7-14.

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Zambrano Johanna, Zambrano Johnny. (2019). Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc. International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, 4(2), 44-50. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12

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ACS Style

Zambrano Johanna; Zambrano Johnny. Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc. Int. J. Miner. Process. Extr. Metall. 2019, 4(2), 44-50. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12

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AMA Style

Zambrano Johanna, Zambrano Johnny. Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc. Int J Miner Process Extr Metall. 2019;4(2):44-50. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12,
  author = {Zambrano Johanna and Zambrano Johnny},
  title = {Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc},
  journal = {International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy},
  volume = {4},
  number = {2},
  pages = {44-50},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmpem.20190402.12},
  abstract = {Bioleaching comprises the use of microorganisms for metal-extraction processes from sulphide ores. During these complex processes, sulphides are oxidized to sulphates with the generation of heat. As a result, gold, silver, and other precious metals are liberated from the sulphide matrix, improving their recovery after further processing. A drawback of bioleaching processes is the generation of significant amounts of acid solutions with high heavy metal concentrations. If untreated, these acid solutions may alter the physical and chemical characteristics of water and its surroundings, with high impact to aquatic ecosystems. High heavy metal concentrations in solution may also result in pollution to living organisms. A feasible method to treat bioleaching-generated solutions is selective precipitation. This investigation presents the conditions for a successful individual recovery of the main base metals contained in a bioleaching solution with high copper, zinc, and iron concentrations by pH-based selective precipitation. Tests were made with standard solutions of known concentrations of copper, iron, lead and zinc and by titration the concentrations were checked; which allowed to validate the volumetric titration method. The selective precipitation of heavy metals was carried out in three phases using real acid main drainage and bioleaching solutions generated at the laboratory. The first phase in a pH range of 2 to 4 to recover iron; the second phase in a pH range of 4 to 6 to recover copper; and the third phase in a pH range of 6 to 10 to recover zinc. The selective precipitation allowed the heavy metals to be completely removed from the solution or to achieve concentrations below the maximum allowable limit to be discharged to a body of water or public sewer. Results portray that the variation of pH is an effective method, easy to use and not expensive, feasible to be used in the purification of waters that have been polluted with heavy metals.},
 year = {2019}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc
AU  - Zambrano Johanna
AU  - Zambrano Johnny
Y1  - 2019/09/02
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12
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  - 44
EP  - 50
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1859
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12
AB  - Bioleaching comprises the use of microorganisms for metal-extraction processes from sulphide ores. During these complex processes, sulphides are oxidized to sulphates with the generation of heat. As a result, gold, silver, and other precious metals are liberated from the sulphide matrix, improving their recovery after further processing. A drawback of bioleaching processes is the generation of significant amounts of acid solutions with high heavy metal concentrations. If untreated, these acid solutions may alter the physical and chemical characteristics of water and its surroundings, with high impact to aquatic ecosystems. High heavy metal concentrations in solution may also result in pollution to living organisms. A feasible method to treat bioleaching-generated solutions is selective precipitation. This investigation presents the conditions for a successful individual recovery of the main base metals contained in a bioleaching solution with high copper, zinc, and iron concentrations by pH-based selective precipitation. Tests were made with standard solutions of known concentrations of copper, iron, lead and zinc and by titration the concentrations were checked; which allowed to validate the volumetric titration method. The selective precipitation of heavy metals was carried out in three phases using real acid main drainage and bioleaching solutions generated at the laboratory. The first phase in a pH range of 2 to 4 to recover iron; the second phase in a pH range of 4 to 6 to recover copper; and the third phase in a pH range of 6 to 10 to recover zinc. The selective precipitation allowed the heavy metals to be completely removed from the solution or to achieve concentrations below the maximum allowable limit to be discharged to a body of water or public sewer. Results portray that the variation of pH is an effective method, easy to use and not expensive, feasible to be used in the purification of waters that have been polluted with heavy metals.
VL  - 4
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Zambrano Johanna

Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
Zambrano Johnny

Department of Petroleum, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador

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Zambrano Johanna, Zambrano Johnny. (2019). Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc. International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, 4(2), 44-50. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12

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ACS Style

Zambrano Johanna; Zambrano Johnny. Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc. Int. J. Miner. Process. Extr. Metall. 2019, 4(2), 44-50. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12

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AMA Style

Zambrano Johanna, Zambrano Johnny. Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc. Int J Miner Process Extr Metall. 2019;4(2):44-50. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12,
  author = {Zambrano Johanna and Zambrano Johnny},
  title = {Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc},
  journal = {International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy},
  volume = {4},
  number = {2},
  pages = {44-50},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmpem.20190402.12},
  abstract = {Bioleaching comprises the use of microorganisms for metal-extraction processes from sulphide ores. During these complex processes, sulphides are oxidized to sulphates with the generation of heat. As a result, gold, silver, and other precious metals are liberated from the sulphide matrix, improving their recovery after further processing. A drawback of bioleaching processes is the generation of significant amounts of acid solutions with high heavy metal concentrations. If untreated, these acid solutions may alter the physical and chemical characteristics of water and its surroundings, with high impact to aquatic ecosystems. High heavy metal concentrations in solution may also result in pollution to living organisms. A feasible method to treat bioleaching-generated solutions is selective precipitation. This investigation presents the conditions for a successful individual recovery of the main base metals contained in a bioleaching solution with high copper, zinc, and iron concentrations by pH-based selective precipitation. Tests were made with standard solutions of known concentrations of copper, iron, lead and zinc and by titration the concentrations were checked; which allowed to validate the volumetric titration method. The selective precipitation of heavy metals was carried out in three phases using real acid main drainage and bioleaching solutions generated at the laboratory. The first phase in a pH range of 2 to 4 to recover iron; the second phase in a pH range of 4 to 6 to recover copper; and the third phase in a pH range of 6 to 10 to recover zinc. The selective precipitation allowed the heavy metals to be completely removed from the solution or to achieve concentrations below the maximum allowable limit to be discharged to a body of water or public sewer. Results portray that the variation of pH is an effective method, easy to use and not expensive, feasible to be used in the purification of waters that have been polluted with heavy metals.},
 year = {2019}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Effluents Treatment Generated by Biolixiviation in the Extraction of Precious Metals through Selective Recovery of Iron, Copper and Zinc
AU  - Zambrano Johanna
AU  - Zambrano Johnny
Y1  - 2019/09/02
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12
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  - 44
EP  - 50
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1859
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20190402.12
AB  - Bioleaching comprises the use of microorganisms for metal-extraction processes from sulphide ores. During these complex processes, sulphides are oxidized to sulphates with the generation of heat. As a result, gold, silver, and other precious metals are liberated from the sulphide matrix, improving their recovery after further processing. A drawback of bioleaching processes is the generation of significant amounts of acid solutions with high heavy metal concentrations. If untreated, these acid solutions may alter the physical and chemical characteristics of water and its surroundings, with high impact to aquatic ecosystems. High heavy metal concentrations in solution may also result in pollution to living organisms. A feasible method to treat bioleaching-generated solutions is selective precipitation. This investigation presents the conditions for a successful individual recovery of the main base metals contained in a bioleaching solution with high copper, zinc, and iron concentrations by pH-based selective precipitation. Tests were made with standard solutions of known concentrations of copper, iron, lead and zinc and by titration the concentrations were checked; which allowed to validate the volumetric titration method. The selective precipitation of heavy metals was carried out in three phases using real acid main drainage and bioleaching solutions generated at the laboratory. The first phase in a pH range of 2 to 4 to recover iron; the second phase in a pH range of 4 to 6 to recover copper; and the third phase in a pH range of 6 to 10 to recover zinc. The selective precipitation allowed the heavy metals to be completely removed from the solution or to achieve concentrations below the maximum allowable limit to be discharged to a body of water or public sewer. Results portray that the variation of pH is an effective method, easy to use and not expensive, feasible to be used in the purification of waters that have been polluted with heavy metals.
VL  - 4
IS  - 2
ER  -

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