Possibility of using chemical fertilizers instead of 9K medium in bioleaching process of low-grade sulfide copper ores

The possibility of applying chemical fertilizers as a source of nutrients for bacterial growth in bioleaching process was investigated. In the first part of the experiment the nutrient content of four sulfide copper ore samples was determined. The results confirmed that the amount of calcium, magnesium and sulfur were sufficient to support bacterial growth, whereas nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium were not sufficient. Therefore, N, P, and K from a chemical fertilizer source were applied to the sulfide copper ores to make a cost-effective bioleaching process. According to shake flask experiments by using mesophilic, iron-sulfur oxidizing bacteria, bacterial activity and copper recovery in some proposed media was satisfactory compared to 9K medium. Additionally, potassium had positive effect on the copper ore bioleaching while NO3− and Cl− had inhibitory effect on the bacterial activity.