5
(A) (B)
(C) (D)
(E) (F)
Figure 6. Three Bio-solvents Demonstrated Similar Silicate Solubilization of Tailings as Sulfuric Acid. Solubilization of three
bio-solvents is shown compared to a water control and sulfuric acid after 4 days of treatment. The bio-solvents were selected
to target CaO and MgO removal (A, B). SiO
2 and Al
2 O
3 (C,D) removal was similar. The bio-solvents demonstrated better
retention of value metals, Cu and Ni (E, F).