Resource recovery of copper from low-grade copper ores originating from Dabaoshan Mountain by acidophilic microflora: feasibility and reaction optimisation

Ore mining has resulted in the accumulation in large quantities of low-grade ores, which undoubtedly places a serious burden on resource utilization and environmental protection. Bioleaching technology, as an environmentally friendly metal recovery method, can extract valuable metals from ores that are otherwise considered to be of no economic value and maximize resource utilization. In this work, we analyzed the bioleachability of low-grade copper ores sourced from Dabaoshan Mining Co., Ltd. and analyzed and optimized a variety of leaching influencing factors. Multiple acidophilic microflorae were effective in leaching low-grade copper ores. Low-content clay and high-content clay copper ores were leached using various combinations of conditions, such as pH, inoculum dose, slurry concentrations, and leaching temperatures. After 30 days, the bioleaching rate with low-content clay copper ore ranged from 33% to 46%, and with high-content clay copper ore ranged from 57% to 69%. The highest leaching rate under 10% slurry concentration/pH=2/shaking flask/mixed bacteria/50°C was 95.35%, which confirmed that these ores have better bioleachability.