Behaviour of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in chalcopyrite bioleaching process

The chalcopyrite was bioleached using ferrous and ferric solution.The variations of main experimental parameters including the pH value,ferrous and ferric concentration,bacterial adsorption rate and copper leaching efficiency in the leaching solution were investigated.The results show that the ferric concentration can affect the morphologies of jarosite.As the flocculent jarosite gradually forms in the ferric bioleaching solution,the floccule jarosite forms and cover on the chalcopyrite surface,which prevents the leaching process.In the ferrous bioleaching solution,the crustose and nodulated jarosite is generated and dispersed in the solution,which cannot prevent the sequential dissolution of the chalcopyrite.