Nine different anaerobic bioleaching experiments were done. The
fate of metals was assessed by measuring the metal content in both
the solid and liquid phase at both the start and end of the experiment
(Table 1). Likewise, the total amount of phosphorus, nitrogen and organic
matter, expressed as chemical oxygen demand (COD), were determined.
Although during acidogenic anaerobic bioleaching, the
conversion of organic matter to CH4 is expected to be negligible, CH4
expressed as COD in the gas phase was also considered (Table 1).