In this paper, bioleaching experiments employing sulfur oxidizing bacterium A.t.ferrooxidans were carried out to assess the influence of initial pH value of the bioleaching system on the extracting of Cu and Zn from sulfide copper tailings. For the bioleaching system, the experimental conditions were that: pulp density 10% (w/v), inoculum 10(6-7) cells/mL, aeration rate 2L/min, temperature 30 +/- 1 degrees C, leaching period for 24 days, the initial pH 1.2-2.6. The results showed that lower initial pH was better for the extraction of Cu and Zn. When the initial pH value was 1.2, the extracting...
