Bioleaching of copper from old flotation tailings samples (copper mine Bor, Serbia)

This study investigates the bioleaching of copper from old flotation tailings at the Copper Mine Bor using acidic water from Lake Robule as a lixiviant. Samples were collected from depths of 10, 15, and 20 meters, and subjected to bioleaching experiments conducted in shaken flasks over a period of five weeks. Results indicated a copper yield of 68.34±1.21% from the 15 m sample, 72.57±0.57% from the 20 m sample, and an impressive 97.78±5.50% from the 10 m sample. Comparative analysis with traditional acid leaching methods revealed that bioleaching outperformed acid leaching, particularly for samples taken from 10 m and 20 m depths. Additionally, the bioleaching process effectively reduced the pyrite content in the 20 m sample, which possessed the highest mineral presence. The findings underscore the efficacy of bioleaching in recovering significant amounts of copper while simultaneously diminishing the environmental footprint associated with flotation tailings, leveraging the availability of abundant and cost-free acidic water from the Robule Lake as an effective lixiviant. These results advocate for the continued exploration and adoption of bioleaching techniques for sustainable copper extraction in mining processes.