Bioleaching Techniques for Sustainable Recovery of Metals from Solid Matrices

Abstract

This review paper explores the potential of bioleaching as a sustainable alternative for recovering metals from solid matrices. With over 12 billion tons of solid waste annually worldwide, bioleaching provides a promising opportunity to extract metals from solid waste, avoiding harmful chemical processes. It explains bacterial and fungal bioleaching techniques that extract copper, gold, zinc, and other metals from solid matrices. Fungal bioleaching effectively extracts a wide range of valuable metals, including nickel, vanadium, aluminium, molybdenum, cobalt, iron, manganese, silver, platinum, and palladium. The review highlights different solid matrices with metal contents that have the potential to be recovered by bioleaching, presenting promising bioprocess alternatives to current industrially available technologies for metal recovery. The optimal conditions for bioleaching, including pH, temperature, agitation–aeration, and pulp density are also discussed. The review shows that bioleaching has the potential to play a crucial role in the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy by providing an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly method for metal recovery from solid matrices.

Possibilities of Managing Waste Iron Sorbent FFH after CO2 Capture as an Element of a Circular Economy

“…The maximum value of approximately 4.5-5.0 × 10 12 m/kg was obtained for samples of combinations C and F. In accordance with the standards for sewage sludge dewatering [31,32], obtained CSK and r values indicate that the tested sludge after bioleaching with FFHCO2 was an In conclusion, there is no technological justification for the use of FFHCO2 as a substrate for the growth of bioleaching bacteria. The justification would be to meet the conditions for significant recovery of material, i.e., biomass, with low costs associated with sample preparation [53,54]. In the tests carried out, a 21-day process was required to achieve a low yield of organic matter, including dosing of inoculum with the nutrient solution, dosing of energy substrates and continuous aeration and heating.…”

“…In conclusion, there is no technological justification for the use of FFHCO2 as a substrate for the growth of bioleaching bacteria. The justification would be to meet the conditions for significant recovery of material, i.e., biomass, with low costs associated with sample preparation [ 53 , 54 ]. In the tests carried out, a 21-day process was required to achieve a low yield of organic matter, including dosing of inoculum with the nutrient solution, dosing of energy substrates and continuous aeration and heating.…”

From E-Waste to High-Value Materials: Sustainable Synthesis of Metal, Metal Oxide, and MOF Nanoparticles from Waste Printed Circuit Boards

“…Biohydrometallurgy, an interdisciplinary field merging biology with the hydrometallurgical process, employs selective and environmentally friendly approaches for metal recovery [ 59 ]. By utilizing agents like fungi, bacteria [ 6 ], algae, or fermentation products, such as enzymes, it transforms specific substrates into soluble salts within an aqueous medium. Microbial reduction facilitates the recovery of soluble heavy metals [ 60 ].…”

“…In pursuit sustainable recycling, a variety of methods, including mechanical processing, pyrometallurgy, and hydrometallurgy, have been investigated. The use of cyanide, which increases toxicity and environmental concerns, as well as the generation of wastewater and operational costs as a result of the various stages involved in the processes, presents difficulties, which is a major incentive to discover more sustainable chemical treatments [ 6 ].…”

Resource and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Effects through Recycling of Platinum-Containing Waste

“…The global market is increasingly seeking metals with a high recycled content as sustainable raw materials to mitigate the carbon footprint of the final products [5]. Recycling metal, which involves reprocessing waste into new metal products, can lower GHG emissions, preserve natural resources, and efficiently manage energy consumption [19]. Effective waste management stands out as a crucial component in the pursuit of sustainable development and the establishment of a circular economy [20].…”