Green extraction of nickel and valuable metals from pyrrhotite samples with different crystallographic structures through acidophilic bioleaching

Nowadays, due to the strategic status of nickel in the global market, utilizing its disregarded resources like low-grade nickel containing pyrrhotite is of significant importance. A comprehensive set of experiments and analyses were performed to determine the bioleaching capability and mechanism for nickel extraction from hexagonal and monoclinic pyrrhotite. Over 95% Ni extraction was achieved from the hexagonal pyrrhotite sample. Ni extraction from the monoclinic sample reached its maximum value of 67% and 90% at 3% pulp density, with mixed mesophilic and moderately thermophilic cultures, respectively. Characterization analyses indicated that jarosite and elemental sulfur formation in mixed mesophilic bioleaching reduced the samples' bio-oxidation rate and metal dissolution. The kinetics study revealed that the controlling step in thermophilic bioleaching is the chemical reaction; however, the mixed control model was best fitted on mesophilic data. Electrochemistry studies confirmed bioleaching results and indicated that monoclinic pyrrhotite's oxidation rate under the operating conditions is faster than hexagonal pyrrhotite, and the temperature positively correlates with the oxidation rate. Toxicity assessment analysis showed that the final residues of both bioleached samples could be considered environmentally safe.