Abstract

A process for treating a sulphide material (17) containing iron and sulphur comprises the steps of bacterially leaching (30,130) the material (17) containing iron and sulphur in an oxidation leach to produce an iron containing solution (38) also containing a first component from the sulphide material (17); and (b) separating iron (50) from said iron containing solution (38) to form a primary iron containing stream (52) and a stream (54) containing the first component.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/18 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes with the aid of microorganisms or enzymes, e.g. bacteria or algae
• B01D 9/00 - Crystallisation
• C21B 3/00 - General features in the manufacture of pig-iron
• C25C 1/06 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of solutions of iron group metals, refractory metals or manganese