Bioremediation of an Albanian sulfide ore deposit: complete circuit for copper recovery

Bioremediation may be an interesting environmentally friendly technology for Albania to increase the efficiency of copper industry and to decrease the pollution in mining areas. The technical feasibility of the bioleaching process for copper recovery followed by solvent extraction and electrowinning has been demonstrated. An economical analysis is needed to understand if bioleaching may be an effective alternative to conventional beneficiation processes. Studies have been carried out at laboratory scale by application of mesophilic bacteria, utilizing copper sulfide ore from Gjegjan deposit.