Biomining of gallium and germanium containing ores
US5030426A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S423/17
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed is a high temperature process (e.g.>60.degree. C.) for leaching selected metal compounds e.g. gallium or germanium from ore containing those compounds. The method includes placing the ore into a culture medium containing bacteria. Bacteria capable of leaching the metal compounds from the ore leach the metals from the ore. The bacteria preferably used will be bacteria ATCC 53921 and mutations and recombinants thereof. The ore is generally crushed to between 20 and -400 mesh before placement into the culture medium c This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. F33615-87-C-5303 awarded by the United Stated Air Force. The Government has certain rights in this invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.