Sulphide bioxidation using native Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and thiooxidans, related acidophile strains from "El Zancudo" gold mine (Titiribí, Colombia)

This investigation was aimed at a laboratory evaluation of the action of native Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans-and thiooxidans-related acidophile micro-organism (isolated from El Zancudo gold mine in Titiribí, Colombia) on the oxidation of sulphides, mainly consisting of pyrite and arsenopyrite; sulphide concentration varied from 8% to 16% and particle size from 75 um to 106 um. pH and redox potential measurement revealed efficient oxidation for each culture over a 25-day period, reaching 1,4 pH and 600 mV redox potential. 20 g/L As and 60 g/L Fe levels were reached in solution. XRD, FTIR and SEM/EDX analysis revealed the presence of bacterial oxidation products such as jarosite and iron arsenates, as well as low and high corrosion in pyrites and arsenopyrites, respectively. Key words: chemolithotrophics, bioleaching, pyrite, arsenopyrite, applied mineralogy