摘要 |
PCT No. PCT/AU92/00117 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 15, 1993 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 15, 1993 PCT Filed Mar. 20, 1992 PCT Pub. No. WO92/16667 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 1, 1992.A process for recovering precious or base metals from particulate refractory sulfide materials comprises: a) contacting the sulfide material with an aqueous solution containing a thermotolerant bacteria culture capable of promoting oxidation of the sulfide material at a temperature in the range from 25 DEG to 55 DEG C., b) separating the oxidized residue from the aqueous liquid, and, c) treating the oxidized residue and/or the aqueous liquid to recover metal. In this context, a thermotolerant bacterium is one which has an optimum growth temperature of 40 DEG to 45 DEG C., and an operating temperature of 25 DEG to 55 DEG C. |