New approaches for bioleaching of nickel laterite ore.

Studies have been carried out of the solubilisation of lateritic nickel ores by the action of heterotrophic bacteria Bacillus subtilis. A sample of Brazilian lateritic nickel ore was used in which goethite was the primary Ni mineral, and the ore contained 1% NiO (0.85 % Ni). Bioleaching batch experiments demonstrated that about 8% Ni (0.7 mg Ni/ g ore) were solubilised by the B. subtilis after 7 days. Pre-treating the ore by microwave heating was found to increase the bioextraction to 26% Ni (2.3 mg Ni/ g ore).
Studies have been carried out of the solubilisation of lateritic nickel ores by the action of heterotrophic bacteria Bacillus subtilis. A sample of Brazilian lateritic nickel ore was used in which goethite was the primary Ni mineral, and the ore contained 1% NiO (0.85 % Ni). Bioleaching batch experiments demonstrated that about 8% Ni (0.7 mg Ni/ g ore) were solubilised by the B. subtilis after 7 days. Pre-treating the ore by microwave heating was found to increase the bioextraction to 26% Ni (2.3 mg Ni/ g ore).