Biohydrometallurgy for Nonsulfidic Minerals—A Review

Abstract

Bioleaching is a technology applicable to metal extraction from low-grade ores, ore beneficiation, coal beneficiation, metal detoxification, and recovery of metals from waste materials. The technology is environmentally sound and it may lower operational cost and energy requirement. Whereas leaching of sulfidic minerals using chemolithoautotrophic bacteria is the most studied and commercially exploitable aspect of mineral biotechnology today, there is a dearth of literature on the dissolution of nonsulfidic minerals. Biohydrometallurgy of nonsulfidic minerals involves the action of heterotrophic microorganisms. Heterotrophic bacteria and fungi have the potential for producing acidic metabolites that are able to solubilize oxide, silicate, carbonate and hydroxide minerals by reduction, acidolysis and complexation mechanisms. It is an important aspect of biohydrometallugy that requires development to meet future needs.

Keywords:

• bioleaching
• biohydrometallurgy
• coal
• metal recovery
• demineralization

Authors would like to thank the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India for the financial assistance to carry out the research work.

Notes

^a Liermann et al. (2000).

^b Agatzini and Tzeferis (1997).

^c Ambikadevi and Lalithambika (2000).

^d Banerjee et al. (2000).