Bio-leaching of Low Grade Copper Ores with Microwave Mutated T. f

The microwave radiation mutation of the thiobacillus ferrooxidans, called T.f, and the bioleaching results of the low grade chalcopyrite with mutated T.f are investigated. The results show that the microwave radiation can effectively produce the mutation on bacterium T.f to improve its activity on copper sulfides leaching. Comparing to the T.f, the bio-leaching rate of the primary copper sulfide ores with mutated T.f is increased by 31.44%, and for the secondary copper sulfide ores is increased from 53.66% to 74.97%, and for total copper recovery from 32.43% to 56.58%. The cycling time is shorted by 5～10d. It is effective for copper ore leaching with chalcopyrite as dominant constituents by mutated T.f.