Direct and indirect mechanisms in the bacterial leaching of covellite

Abstract

Bacterial leachings of sample of covellite using a strain of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in 9 K medium with and without iron were made at several pulp densities. Rates of solubilization with and without iron correspond to total and to direct mechanism respectively. Orders of reaction (at each pulp density) for each mechanism at two temperatures were calculated.