Bioleaching of cobalt from smelter wastes by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

Abstract

The bioleaching of cobalt from domestic, industrial smelter wastes was studied. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans solubilized Co from sulfidic dross furnace mattes. At pulp densities of 4% (w/v) up to 600 mg of Co per liter of leaching solution was released from nickel matte, corresponding to removal of about two-thirds of the original amount of Co in the matte. Bioleaching methods may be useful as a component of a process for solubilization and recovery of Co from sulfidic smelter mattes. © 1990 Society for Industrial Microbiology.