Optimization of Bioleaching Conditions Using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans at Low Temperatures in a Uranium Mining Environment
Turysbekova G. Bektay Y. Altynbek A. Berillo D. Shiderin B. Bektayev M.
July 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Minerals
2025#15Issue 7
Systematic studies were conducted at one of the uranium deposits in Kazakhstan. Native strains of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans bacteria were found in leaching solutions at the deposit. The modeling of iron species in the culturing medium was analyzed using Medusa software v.2.0.5. To intensify the process, the bacterial strains were propagated in laboratory conditions, and strains available in the laboratory were added. The ability of bacteria to oxidize divalent iron to trivalent iron at 8 °C in laboratory conditions was established, but the oxidation rate was low. It was found that the limiting stage of bioleaching use in deposit conditions is the temperature mode, the content of divalent iron, and oxygen. A biomass volume of 15 L was initially cultivated under laboratory conditions, and subsequently scaled up to 3 m3 in production using three 1 m3 pachucas with air aeration. In addition, pilot tests were carried out directly in production conditions and biomass in the volume of over 30 m3 was produced. The kinetics of the oxidation process of divalent iron to trivalent iron in 1 g/h under production conditions was established. The features of the bioleaching process at the field are shown as follows: since production, the solution contains the main microelements for the nutrition and reproduction of bacteria, and recommendations for the use of bioleaching are proposed. Research has established that under conditions of a shortage of divalent iron in the solution, sulfuric acid is formed due to sulfur-containing substances. It was observed that for the effective conversion of divalent iron to trivalent iron, bacteria of the provided strain and air (oxygen) supply are sufficient. The corresponding recommendations were issued during the work.
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans , bioleaching , biooxidation , field-scale bacterial leaching , low-temperature bioleaching , uranium deposit
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Metallurgy and Mineral Processing, Mining and Metallurgical Institute, University Satpayev, 22 Satbayev Ave., Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
Center of Agro Competence, M. Kozybayev North-Kazakhstan University, Zhumabaeva str. 114, Petropavlovsk, 150000, Kazakhstan
Metallurgy and Mineral Processing
Center of Agro Competence
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