Characterization and bioleaching of nickel laterite ore using Bacillus subtilis strain

There are two principal types of nickel (Ni) deposits: sulfide and laterite ores. Interest in low-grade Ni-laterite ores has increased in recent years as high-grade Ni-sulfide deposits are being quickly depleted. However, processing of Ni laterites has proven technically difficult and costly, and the development of alternative low-cost biotechnologies for Ni solubilization has been encouraged. In this context, by the first time, a sample of Brazilian Ni-laterite ore was analyzed mineralogically and subjected to bioleaching tests using a heterotrophic Bacillus subtilis strain. SEM-analysis indicated that the primary Ni carrier mineral is goethite. Chemical analysis of different grain size fractions indicated a homogeneous distribution of Ni. XRF-analysis showed that the ore consists mainly in lizardite (32.6% MgO) and contains1.0% NiO (0.85% Ni). Bioleaching batch experiments demonstrated that about 8.1% Ni (0.7 mg Ni/g ore) were solubilized by the B. subtilis after 7 days. Application of microwave heating as a Ni-laterite pretreatment was also tested. This pretreatment increased the bioextraction of Ni from 8% to 26% (2.3 mg Ni g⁻¹ ore).