Abstract: The present invention corresponds to a commercial production process of ferric sulfate whose plant can be installed scaled to the requirements of the process of application of the bio-produced ferric solution based on fayalite slag generated in copper smelting plants. No previous process has established as its method of industrial application the use of these smelter slags in the bio-production of ferric sulfate solutions at concentrations above 20 g/L, including a stage of acid-slag leaching in dynamic heaps with control of generated silica and subsequent precipitation of colloidal silica and other impurities in a stirred reactor in the invented process. The ferrous solution free of colloidal silica and other impurities is subjected to a process of bio-oxidization of the clean ferrous solution by microorganisms adapted to these metallurgical solutions.

Abstract: The present invention corresponds to a commercial production process of ferric sulfate whose plant can be installed scaled to the requirements of the process of application of the bio-produced ferric solution based on fayalite slag generated in copper smelting plants. No previous process has established as its method of industrial application the use of these smelter slags in the bio-production of ferric sulfate solutions at concentrations above 20 g/L, including a stage of acid-slag leaching in dynamic heaps with control of generated silica and subsequent precipitation of colloidal silica and other impurities in a stirred reactor in the invented process. The ferrous solution free of colloidal silica and other impurities is subjected to a process of bio-oxidization of the clean ferrous solution by microorganisms adapted to these metallurgical solutions.

Abstract: The invention publishes a process to increase the bioleaching speed of ores or concentrates of sulfide metal species in heaps, tailing dams, dumps, or other on-site operations. The process is characterized by the continuous inoculation of the ores or concentrates with isolated microorganisms of the Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans type, together with isolated microorganisms of the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans type, with or without native microorganisms, in such a way that the total concentration of microorganisms in the continuous inoculation flow is of around 1×107 cells/ml to 5,6×107 cells/ml. In particular, the invention publishes the continuous inoculation of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Licanantay DSM 17318 together with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Wenelen DSM 16786 microorganisms, or with other native microorganisms at a concentration higher than 5×107 cells/ml.

Abstract: The invention publishes a process to increase the bioleaching speed of ores or concentrates of sulfide metal species in heaps, tailing dams, dumps, or other on-site operations. The process is characterized by the continuous inoculation of the ores or concentrates with isolated microorganisms of the Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans type, together with isolated microorganisms of the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans type, with or without native microorganisms, in such a way that the total concentration of microorganisms in the continuous inoculation flow is of around 1×107 cells/ml to 5,6×107 cells/ml. In particular, the invention publishes the continuous inoculation of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Licanantay DSM 17318 together with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Wenelen DSM 16786 microorganisms, or with other native microorganisms at a concentration higher than 5×107 cells/ml.

Abstract: The invention publishes a reactor and method for the culture, biooxidation of cations in solution and/or large-scale propagation of jointly isolated microorganisms, with or without native microorganisms that are useful in sulfide metal ore bioleaching. The invention particularly publishes a reactor for the large-scale culture and/or propagation of an association of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Licanantay DSM 17318 isolated microorganisms jointly with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Wenelen DSM 16786 with or without the presence of other microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention publishes the use of mining products and sub-products that contain pyrite, such as copper concentrates, and waste from the process in which these concentrates are obtained, known as scavenger tail, as an energy source for the large-scale culture of an association of microorganisms that are useful for ore bioleaching, and that includes both isolated microorganisms, and native microorganisms from the worked ores. In particular, the invention publishes the use of mining waste known as scavenger tail from the flotation process, in the culture of an association of isolated microorganisms of the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans y Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans type together, with or without other native microorganisms from the worked ores.

Abstract: The invention publishes a process for the joint culture of an association of microorganisms using pyrite (FeS2) as an energy source. This invention particularly publishes the use of a pyrite ore as an energy source in the joint culture of an association of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans type isolated microorganisms known as Wenelen DSM 16786 and Licanantay DSM 17318 respectively.