Bioleaching is the extraction of metals from their ores with a help of the living microorganisms. This method can be applied for example, to recover copper, zinc, lead, arsenic, antimony, nickel, molybdenum, gold, silver, cobalt.

We have developed and manufactured laboratory and pilot scale systems of bioreactors for bioleaching according to the following configuration:

1. Two 6 liter bioreactors for preparing of inoculant AND four 6 liter bioreactors with feeding reactor connected in sequence by peristaltic pumps. All inside parts of bioreactors are from glass, PTFE or covered with special chemical resistant coating.

2. Three30 and 80 liter bioreactors with 80 liter feed reactor connected in sequence according to two options: by peristaltic pumps or gravity. All inside surfaces are covered with special chemical resistant coating.

The systems of bioreactors can be applied for development of bioleaching technologies. The configuration of bioreactors can be customized.

All equipment was constructed for EU project, in cooperation between JSC “Biotehniskais centrs”, Mining and Metallurgy Institute “Bor” (Serbia) and “Mintek” (South Africa).