Method for segregating metals and minerals from one another by leaching

Abstract

A method for extracting metals from minerals is provided that involves the leaching of metals with a leaching agent comprised of a biomass of microorganisms having a chemo-organotrophic type of exchange which are grown in a nutrient medium. The microorganisms having chemo-organotropic type of exchange are selected from natural materials and may include acetic bacteria, pseudomonades, and sulfuric bacteria. The leaching is carried out with the consumption of biomass not less than 3×10 −3 kg per 1 kg of mineral raw material. A water solution of higher carbohydrate polymers is used as a nutrient medium and a mineral additive may be added thereto. Phosphate of ammonia, ammonium chloride, a mixture of phosphate of ammonia and ammonium chloride, or sodium chloride is used as the mineral additive. Vegetative residues, sawdust, cane, sedge, and household wastes are used as the higher carbohydrate polymers.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for extracting metals from minerals comprising: 
 leaching of metals from a mineral composition with a leaching agent comprised of a biomass of microorganisms which are grown in a nutrient medium and have a heterotrophic type of metabolism.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the microorganisms with a heterotrophic type of metabolism are selected from natural materials.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the leaching is carried out with the consumption of biomass not less than 3×10 −3  kg per 1 kg of mineral raw material.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the microorganisms with a heterotrophic type of metabolism are at least one of acetic bacteria, pseudomonades, and sulfuric bacteria.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a water solution of higher carbohydrate polymers is used as a nutrient medium.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a mineral additive is introduced into the nutrient medium.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the mineral additive is a selected one of phosphate of ammonia, ammonium chloride, and a mixture of phosphate of ammonia and ammonium chloride.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the mineral additive is sodium chloride.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein vegetative residues, sawdust, cane, sedge, and household wastes are used as higher carbohydrate polymers in the nutrient medium.