Biorecovery of Manganese from Pyrolusite ore using Aspergillus niger PCSIR-06

Investigations were carried out for biotechnological leaching of manganese from pyrolusite ore using Aspergillus niger. Strain of Aspergillus niger PCSIR-06 was isolated from pyrolusite ore collected from Wadh area of Khuzdar District, Balochistan, Pakistan. The growth characteristics were investigated in terms of final pH, biomass and total acid produced by the fungus in both shaking and surface culturing conditions. Bioleaching of manganese from low grade pyrolusite ore was carried out in shake cultures by applying Aspergillus niger PCSIR-06. Effects of various parameters in situ leaching of pyrolusite ore such as sucrose concentration, pulp density and inoculum size were investigated. Maximum leaching of manganese (85.39 %) was achieved at 10 % sucrose, I % pulp density and 10 % inoculum in aperiod of 12 days.