A novel and highly efficient system for chalcopyrite bioleaching by mixed strains of Acidithiobacillus

► Effects of stable pH, silver ion, and chloride ion on chalcopyrite bioleaching by mixed strains of Acidithiobacillus were performed. ► A novel integrated system was firstly proposed for bioleaching of chalcopyrite. ► The copper ion concentration of the integrated system was almost twice time of blank system.