Catalytic Effect of a Combined Silver and Surfactant Catalyst on Cobalt Ore Bioleaching

The effects of Ag+, surfactants, and their combination on cobalt ore bioleaching were investigated in this article. Ag+ ions and surfactants, either individually or in combination, can significantly accelerate mineral dissolution and increase metal leaching efficiencies. When 20mgL(-1) Ag+ was added, the cobalt and copper leaching efficiencies increased from 67.8% and 58.5% to 94.3% and 80.7%, respectively. In addition, in the presence of 150mgL(-1) Tween-20, the cobalt and copper leaching efficiencies increased by more than 25% and 11%, respectively. A similar trend was observed with Tween-60 and Tween-80. When a combined catalyst of Ag+ ions and surfactant was employed, the cobalt and copper leaching efficiencies increased by more than 23% and 10%, respectively. Moreover, the leaching time decreased by one quarter. The catalytic effect of the combined catalyst was more significant than that of a single catalyst.