Biomining: Metal Recovery from Ores with Microorganisms

Abstract

Biomining is an increasingly applied biotechnological procedure for processing of ores in the mining industry (biohydrometallurgy). Nowadays the production of copper from low-grade ores is the most important industrial application and a significant part of world copper production already originates from heap or dump/stockpile bioleaching. Conceptual differences exist between the industrial processes of bioleaching and biooxidation. Bioleaching is a conversion of an insoluble valuable metal into a soluble form by means of microorganisms. In biooxidation, on the other hand, gold is predominantly unlocked from refractory ores in large-scale stirred-tank biooxidation arrangements for further processing steps. In addition to copper and gold production, biomining is also used to produce cobalt, nickel, zinc, and uranium. Up to now, biomining has merely been used as a procedure in the processing of sulfide ores and uranium ore, but laboratory and pilot procedures already exist for the processing of silicate and oxide ores (e.g., laterites), for leaching of processing residues or mine waste dumps (mine tailings), as well as for the extraction of metals from industrial residues and waste (recycling). This chapter estimates the world production of copper, gold, and other metals by means of biomining and chemical leaching (bio-/hydrometallurgy) compared with metal production by pyrometallurgical procedures, and describes new developments in biomining. In addition, an overview is given about metal sulfide oxidizing microorganisms, fundamentals of biomining including bioleaching mechanisms and interface processes, as well as anaerobic bioleaching and bioleaching with heterotrophic microorganisms.

The Confluence of Heavy Metal Biooxidation and Heavy Metal Resistance: Implications for Bioleaching by Extreme Thermoacidophiles

“…Certain species, like Acidithiobacillus caldus, cannot adhere and requires co-culture with EPS-forming acidophiles [290]. Curiously, if an organism is capable of mineral sulfide attachment, the space for attachment must be non-limiting [291,292]. The formation of EPS is known to be stimulated by attachment or surface contact [285,293].…”

“…Recent reviews have emphasized the importance of mesophilic and moderately thermophilic acidophiles involved in bioleaching, ranging from industrial prospects [292,323,375] to specific uses for secondary copper ores [376] and polymetallic ores [377]. There are fewer details on the successful development of bioleaching applications using extremely thermoacidophilic microorganisms [378].…”

Considerations about recovery of critical metals using bio-metallurgy

“…Biomining is often used for the processing of ore and concentrates and both bacteria and fungi are used in bioleaching [18]. A variety of microorganisms is found in leaching environments and has been isolated from leachates and acidic mine drainage.…”

Three adapted methods to quantify biomass and activity of microbial leaching cultures

“…Microbial leaching of metal sulphides is a well studied process (Crundwell, 2013;Deveci and Ball, 2010;Haghshenas et al, 2012;Rawlings et al, 1999;Sand et al, 2001;Schippers et al, 2013). However, investigations in such systems are hampered for several reasons.…”