Evaluation the impact of particle size and pulp density on the kinetic of chalcopyrite concentrates bioleaching

Low dissolution rate of chalcopyrite as the main copper sulfide minerals is known as the main limiting problem for industrial application of this technology. Low dissolution rate of the chalcopyrite is the main limiting issue to industrialize microbial leaching of such a recalcitrant mineral. In the agitated reactors, the disslution rate of chalcopyrite could be influenced by the different parameters such as the pulp density and particle size. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of pulp density and particle size on the kinetics and efficiency of bioleaching of chalcopyrite concentrate, using moderate thermophilic bacteria isolated from Sarcheshmeh copper complex.
From the results of this study, it can be pointed out that the pulp viscosity influenced by the pulp density and particle size could be increased with reduction of the particle size and the increased pulp density. Both parameters influence the dissolution rate and the copper recovery. Under optimal conditions (10% solid content and average particle size of 16 microns), more than 88% of copper could be bioleached.