Application of acid mine drainage for the biooxidation of a high-grade refractory sulfide gold ore

IF 2.8 4区环境科学与生态学 Q3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Environmental Earth Sciences Pub Date : 2025-01-13 DOI:10.1007/s12665-024-12074-3

Elaheh Nouhi, Ali Ahmadi

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Abstract

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the challenging environmental issues in sulfidic mines. These hazardous solutions generally contain a mixture of indigenous iron- and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms that could be used as a source for biotechnological purposes. In this study, the ability of an AMD from a sulfide-bearing gold mine to biooxidize its high-grade pyritic gold ore was investigated and its efficiency was compared with iron- and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms from a microbial culture bank. Experiments were conducted at 35 and 45 ̊C, initial pH values of 1.5 and 2 in a Norris culture medium prepared from deionized and saline local waters. The effects of some critical parameters including the initial pH and the concentrations of ferrous or ferric sulfate were investigated on the efficiency of the biooxidation process and gold extraction. The results showed that the AMD microorganisms had a greater ability to oxidize the sulfide ore than the microorganisms from the microbial bank. The addition of ferrous and ferric sulfates increased the efficiency of biooxidation, while high concentrations of these ions caused the formation of inhibitory precipitates (jarosite) and decreased gold extraction. The results showed that biooxidation using the AMD medium in the saline local water increased the extraction of gold from 73 to 99%. It can be concluded that the application of AMD for the treatment of refractory gold sulfide ores could be an efficient solution for increasing gold extraction and reducing environmental problems.

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来源期刊

Environmental Earth Sciences 环境科学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

5.10

自引率

3.60%

发文量

494

审稿时长

8.3 months

期刊介绍： Environmental Earth Sciences is an international multidisciplinary journal concerned with all aspects of interaction between humans, natural resources, ecosystems, special climates or unique geographic zones, and the earth: Water and soil contamination caused by waste management and disposal practices Environmental problems associated with transportation by land, air, or water Geological processes that may impact biosystems or humans Man-made or naturally occurring geological or hydrological hazards Environmental problems associated with the recovery of materials from the earth Environmental problems caused by extraction of minerals, coal, and ores, as well as oil and gas, water and alternative energy sources Environmental impacts of exploration and recultivation – Environmental impacts of hazardous materials Management of environmental data and information in data banks and information systems Dissemination of knowledge on techniques, methods, approaches and experiences to improve and remediate the environment In pursuit of these topics, the geoscientific disciplines are invited to contribute their knowledge and experience. Major disciplines include: hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, geochemistry, geophysics, engineering geology, remediation science, natural resources management, environmental climatology and biota, environmental geography, soil science and geomicrobiology.