Bio-oxidation is a pre-treatment method that uses naturally occurring microorganisms (such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans) to oxidize the sulfide minerals encapsulating gold particles. This oxidation process exposes the gold to subsequent cyanidation, improving recovery rates from refractory ores that conventional leaching methods cannot efficiently process.
However, these microorganisms are aerobic, meaning they rely on a steady and sufficient oxygen supply for metabolic activity. Oxygen availability directly determines:
- The rate of sulfide oxidation
- Microbial population growth and stability
- Efficiency of gold liberation
Traditional air injection methods often fail to maintain optimal oxygen concentration, leading to incomplete oxidation, longer retention times, and reduced metal recovery. The Bio-oxidation Oxygen Generator solves these challenges by providing 90–95% pure oxygen, continuously and on demand.
Core Specifications
The Bio-oxidation Oxygen Generator uses Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) or Vacuum PSA technology to separate oxygen from compressed air.
It produces oxygen with consistent purity, pressure, and flow rate - perfectly suited for biological oxidation systems in gold and base metal mining.
high quality
Advanced Equipment
Professional Team
One-Stop Solution
Oxygen Purity
90–95%
Flow Capacity
5 – 500 Nm³/h (custom-built systems available)
Control System
PLC-based automatic operation
Configuration Options
Skid-mounted, containerized, or central oxygen supply station
Supports Microbial Metabolism
Oxygen acts as the terminal electron acceptor in microbial oxidation reactions. A stable oxygen concentration ensures optimal microbial growth and sustained oxidation performance.
Increases Sulfide Decomposition Rate
High-purity oxygen accelerates the oxidation of pyrite and arsenopyrite, liberating encapsulated gold particles for subsequent leaching.
Stabilizes Process Conditions
Precise oxygen control minimizes fluctuations in redox potential, maintaining a stable and balanced bio-reactor environment.
Enhances Overall Gold Recovery
By ensuring complete sulfide oxidation before cyanidation, the process maximizes the percentage of recoverable gold and shortens processing time.
System Highlights
Continuous Oxygen Supply
On-site generation eliminates dependency on external suppliers and ensures uninterrupted bio-oxidation performance.
Energy-Efficient PSA Design
Low power consumption and advanced cycle optimization minimize operating costs.
Automated Operation
The system's PLC control provides real-time monitoring of purity, pressure, and flow - allowing automatic adjustments to meet process needs.
Compact & Modular Layout
Designed for easy installation near bio-reactors, the modular design simplifies expansion or relocation.
Industrial-Grade Reliability
Built to withstand corrosive and humid environments common in bioleaching facilities.
Technical and Engineering Features
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Purity | 90–95% oxygen |
| Flow Capacity | 5 – 1000 Nm³/h |
| Pressure | 0.4 – 0.6 MPa |
| Configuration | Skid-mounted / Containerized |
| Power Consumption | 0.4–0.8 kWh/Nm³ (depending on size) |
| Noise Level | <75 dB |
| Control System | Siemens/Schneider PLC with touchscreen HMI |
Each system is engineered to integrate seamlessly with biological oxidation reactors, BIOX-type systems, or tank bioleaching circuits, providing precise oxygen dosing and monitoring.
Applications
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Gold Bio-oxidation Plants (Refractory ores)
-
Base Metal Bioleaching (Copper, Zinc, Cobalt)
-
Bacterial Oxidation Pre-Treatment Units
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Bio-reactors for Sulfide Ore Processing
-
Pilot-Scale Research Facilities
In each of these processes, consistent oxygen enrichment leads to faster gold dissolution, reduced reagent losses, and improved metal recovery from even low-grade feedstocks.
Advantages Over Conventional Oxygen Supply
Independence from Liquid Oxygen
The PSA-based system produces oxygen directly on-site, eliminating the need for cryogenic deliveries, storage tanks, or associated logistics costs.
01
Process Flexibility
Output can be adjusted dynamically according to biological activity and oxygen demand, improving process stability and efficiency.
02
Lower Environmental Footprint
No cryogenic liquefaction or transport reduces carbon emissions, aligning with modern sustainability goals for mining operations.
03
Cost Savings
Typical payback periods for on-site systems are less than two years due to significant savings on oxygen purchase and transportation.
04
Safety and Simplicity
Eliminates the risks of handling liquid oxygen and simplifies plant operations with fully automated controls.
05
Integration with Bio-Oxidation Systems
In a biological oxidation setup, oxygen is distributed to multiple reactors or tanks through a network of diffusers or sparging systems.
The Bio-oxidation Oxygen Generator can be integrated in several ways:
| Centralized Oxygen Distribution: One generator supplies multiple bio-reactors.
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| Decentralized System: Individual generators serve each process line. | ||
| Flow Control Automation: Real-time dissolved oxygen sensors communicate with the PLC to regulate oxygen delivery automatically. |
This smart integration ensures stable redox potential (Eh) and optimal microbial efficiency, both critical to the bio-oxidation process.
Economic Impact
Implementing a Bio-oxidation Oxygen Generator delivers measurable benefits:
Reduced Operating Cost: Up to 40% lower oxygen supply expenses compared to liquid oxygen.
Improved Recovery Yield: Up to 20% increase in gold recovery from refractory ores.
Higher Process Throughput: Enhanced microbial oxidation rates shorten residence time.
Lower Cyanide Consumption: Better oxidation reduces cyanide demand in downstream leaching.
The result is a more profitable and sustainable mining operation.
Environmental and Sustainability Benefits
Bio-oxidation itself is an environmentally friendly alternative to high-temperature roasting or pressure oxidation (autoclaving).
When combined with on-site oxygen generation:
- There are no combustion emissions or toxic gas by-products.
- Energy consumption is lower, since PSA technology uses ambient temperature operation.
- The system supports clean, low-carbon gold production, aligning with ESG and sustainability standards in the mining industry.
Maintenance and After-Sales Support
Our oxygen systems are designed for durability and minimal maintenance:
Routine filter replacement and system inspection every 3–6 months
Molecular sieve replacement approximately every 5–7 years
Remote monitoring and diagnostic capabilities
Global after-sales network with 24/7 technical assistance
We provide full installation, commissioning, and training services, ensuring that your team can operate and maintain the system confidently.
Safety and Compliance
Each generator is equipped with:
- Oxygen purity and pressure sensors
- Automatic shutdown functions for abnormal operation
- Pressure relief valves and emergency stops
- Alarms for deviation, overload, and temperature control
The systems comply with ISO9001, CE, and industrial gas safety standards, ensuring secure and reliable performance throughout operation.
Why Choose Our Bio-oxidation Oxygen Generator
Mining-Specific Engineering Expertise – Decades of experience in designing oxygen systems for complex ore processing applications.
Tailor-Made Solutions – Systems are customized for your ore type, throughput, and microbial activity requirements.
High Reliability in Harsh Conditions – Built to perform in remote mining regions with fluctuating power and weather.
Energy-Efficient Operation – Advanced control logic and premium components minimize energy use per unit of oxygen produced.
Comprehensive Support – From system design to commissioning, training, and after-sales service, we provide end-to-end support.
Case Example
A South American gold producer implemented a 300 Nm³/h Bio-oxidation Oxygen Generator for its refractory gold ore bioleaching plant.
Results after 6 months:
- Increase in gold recovery from 72% to 88%
- Reduction in process retention time by 30%
- Oxygen cost savings of over 35% compared to liquid oxygen deliveries
The upgrade not only boosted productivity but also improved the plant's environmental performance by lowering energy consumption and emissions.
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