M. Sadeghieh, A. Ahmadi, M.R. Hosseini, Effect of water salinity on the bioleaching of ‎copper, nickel and cobalt from the sulphidic tailing of Golgohar iron ‎mine, Iran, Hydrometallurgy (2020) 198: 105503.

This study investigates the influence of salinity on the bioleaching efficiency of a copper‑nickel‑cobalt bearing sulphidic tailing obtained from Golgohar iron ore desulphurization plant (Sirjan, Iran). The effects of several critical parameters including, suspension pH, nutrient medium, microorganism type, and pulp density were investigated on the extraction of copper, cobalt and nickel from the sulphidic tailing at different levels of sodium chloride concentration. Bioleaching efficiency was also evaluated in the presence of saline local and process waters. Results showed that maximum extraction of nickel (87%) and cobalt (69%) was achieved at the initial pH of 1.8, the pulp density of 10%, Norris nutrient medium containing 10 g/L sodium chloride, and using moderately thermophilic microorganisms. However, maximum copper extraction (~90%) was obtained in the presence of local water. It was also found that the local …