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Mining with Microbes.
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| Submitted: Thu Oct 16 2003
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Mining with Microbes A new method of extracting metals from their ores is being developed that is more, than others before. This alternative technique uses Thiobacillus ferro-oxidan and Thiobacillus thio-oxidan bacteria to leach metal elements from their ores. These bacteria live by oxidising ions found in insoluble minerals of copper. When the bacteria oxidise the S2- ions in the copper mineral, the valuable metal ions are left in solution, from which they can be removed. The microbes work best in acidic conditions (pH 2-3) and in a warm temperature (20-55oC). Firstly, the tailings of ore from previous copper mining are laid on an impermeable. The bacteria are then sprayed onto the piles of ore, in an acidic solution, and left to work. The Thiobacillus ferro-oxidan and Thiobacillus thio-oxidan (T. ferro- and T.thio-oxidan) microbes oxidise S2- and Fe2+ ions thus releasing the copper into solution. The equations for the reactions the bacteria use...
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