A Comprehensive Review on Cobalt Bioleaching from Primary and Tailings Sources

ABSTRACT

The production of critical metals for emerging clean technologies also requires more sustainable, cleaner and cost-effective processing options. The recovery of cobalt (Co) via pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical methods has proved to be successful and practicable; nevertheless, these processes are difficult to manage, have a high operating cost, and produce secondary waste products. In recent years, bioleaching has increasingly gained favor as a method for extracting Co from ores, concentrates, and tailings. The availability of Co in primary and tailings resources, as well as the bioleaching approaches from these deposits are discussed in this paper. Bioleaching of Co has been investigated from primary sources such as Cu-Co deposits, polymetallic Ni-Co-Cu deposits, Co sulfides and arsenides, Ni-Co laterites, and secondary sources including tailings materials. The microorganisms and methods utilized in Co bioleaching from these sources, as well as parameters influencing the bioleaching process, and ways for improving Co bioleaching efficiency, have all been thoroughly discussed in this review. This study examines the potential of different microorganisms to solubilize Co from sulfide and laterite deposits by performing an in-depth meta-analysis of the individual research findings to enable inter-study comparisons and identify research gaps. The reviewed laboratory studies and existing industrial practices for Co bioleaching in this paper intend to offer some inspiration for further research into innovative technologies that may be used to sustainably extract Co, mainly from ores, concentrates and tailings resources.

KEYWORDS:

• Cobalt bioleaching
• microorganisms
• sulfides
• laterites
• tailings

Author’s contributions

Conceptualization, A. K. Saim; Original draft preparation, Writing, A. K. Saim; Writing, reviewing and editing, F. K. Darteh; Investigation, F. K. Darteh.

Disclosure statement

The author declares that he has no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.