The effect of L-cysteine in different concentrations on the bioleaching of Ni-Cu sulfide was studied with an extremely thermophilic archaea,Acidianus manzaensis. It is found that adding certain amounts of L-cysteine to the bioleaching system of Ni-Cu sulfide largely enhances the leaching rate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show the change of bioleached solid residues and the effect of L-cysteine on the surface charges of minerals. Zeta potential and IR spectra of mineral surface show that the interaction between L-cysteine and mineral leads to the formation of metal complex,which is propitious to the bioleaching of Ni-Cu sulfide by Acidianus manzaensis.
