The Evolution, Current Status, and Future Prospects of Using Biotechnologies in the Mineral Extraction and Metal Recovery Sectors

Abstract

The current global demand in terms of both the amounts and range of metals for industrial and domestic use greatly exceeds that at any previous time in human history. Recycling is inadequate to meet these needs and therefore mining primary metal ores will continue to be a major industry in the foreseeable future. The question of how metal mining can develop in a manner which is less demanding of energy and less damaging of the environment in a world whose population is increasingly aware of, and concerned about, the environment, requires urgent redress. Increased application of biotechnologies in the mining sector could go some way in solving this conundrum, yet, biomining (harnessing microorganisms to enhance the recovery of base and precious metals) has remained a niche application since it was first knowingly used in the 1960s. This manuscript reviews the development and current status of biomining applications and highlights their limitations as well as their strengths. New areas of biotechnology that could be applied in the mining sector, and their potential impact in terms of both their potential environmental and economic benefits, are also discussed.

Genomic evolution of the class Acidithiobacillia: deep-branching Proteobacteria living in extreme acidic conditions

“…can catalyze the dissimilatory oxidation of sulfur compounds, some members of the genus grow by oxidizing ferrous iron, using oxygen as electron acceptor [2]. These combined physiological traits are used extensively in biotechnological applications, including the biomining of metal sulfide ores [3]. From a fundamental perspective, the acidithiobacilli are model bacteria for the study of chemolithotrophic energy conversion reactions and pathways under acidic conditions (reviewed in ref.…”

Adhesion to Mineral Surfaces by Cells of Leptospirillum, Acidithiobacillus and Sulfobacillus from Armenian Sulfide Ores

“…Compared to the traditional mineral processing technology like ore smelting/toasting, biomining is more attractive regarding to its lower energy costs and also is more environmentally friendly. In addition, due to the autotrophic lifestyle of most bioleaching microbes, bioleaching involves less carbon footprints (CO 2 fixation by autotrophs) compared to smelting operations (CO 2 emission) [2]. Biomining is an increasingly applied biotechnological procedure for processing of ores in the mining industry (biohydrometallurgy) [3].…”

Advances in Circular Bioeconomy Technologies: From Agricultural Wastewater to Value-Added Resources

“…Nitrogen (e.g., ammonium) and phosphorus (e.g., phosphates) are important for farming and have many external uses, such as fish and animal feeds and biofuels. For instance, several studies have reported that about 5-7% of global energy production is consumed for the mining of phosphorus-containing rocks [39][40][41][42]. However, research has reported that inefficient utilization of phosphorus will be the main cause of increased eutrophication and leakage of fertilizers, detergent and sewage containing phosphorus into water bodies [43].…”