OREANDA-NEWS. Vale has developed an innovative technique that uses micro-organisms to obtain copper and nickel in a process that is highly cost-efficient and sustainable. This technique involves bioleaching, a process used to extract the metals contained in ores by dissolving them into a liquid. In the existing methodology - hydrometallurgy - the mineral compound is dissolved into an acidic chemical solution. In bioleaching, however, micro-organisms present in the solution work as catalysts and accelerate the process.

As well as reducing reaction times, bioleaching reduces both costs and the volume of reagents and water required for the process, and it also extracts metals with higher levels of purity. These studies are being carried out at the Mineral Development Centre (CDM) in Santa Luzia, Minas Gerais, which contains Vale's first biohydrometallurgy laboratory focused on developing projects and technology in this area.

The micro-organisms are manipulated in a controlled way to maintain environmental conditions. During the process we use micro-organisms that naturally occur in high quantities in Vale's orebodies. By doing this, we can reduce the costs associated with reagents and simplify our ore treatment flow. Using what nature has to offer coupled with established industry techniques, we can improve efficiency in our use of natural resources and our company's productive processes.