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Biological Oxidation Of Copper Sulfide Minerals, Delmar Boyd Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This work represents a study of the biological oxidation of copper sulfide minerals. The principal objective of the study was to determine the extent of bacterial oxidation on copper containing sulfide minerals. It was also desired to determine if the bacteria could oxidize copper sulfides in the absence of iron. A better understanding of the nitrogen requirements of the organisms was desired. Minerals used in this study were Bingham Canyon Float Concentrate, chalcopyrite, covellite, calcocite, bornite, tetrahedrite, and reagent grade copper sulfide. The bacteria used were obtained from the mine waters of Bingham Canyon, Utah. To study the problem the …