Heterotrophic bioleaching (using microorganisms that eat sugars) is used for non-sulphidic materials such as oxide ores (including malachite and chrysocolla), carbonate-rich ores and industrial waste. The bacteria metabolise carbon sources to produce organic acids, which react with copper oxide or carbonate ores to form soluble copper ions.In the case of chemolithoautotrophs, some microorganisms oxidise iron, some sulphur and some both. Those that oxidise iron generate energy by oxidising ferrous iron (Fe 2 ...