Mineral bioprocessing and the future

Abstract

Microorganisms are proving to be useful in assisting the in situ leaching of low grade sulfide ores. Other microorganisms and their extracellular products are currently being used to assist the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils. Many other uses of microorganisms and their derivatives are potentially possible. These include use of microorganisms in flocculation or flotation of minerals, remediation of organics potentially discharged from mineral engineering operations, removal of heavy metal ions from dilute aqueous streams, degradation of cyanide, the recovery of bitumen from heavy oil reservoirs and tar sands and the solubilization of lignites and low rank coals. There is, thus, great need for extensive fundamental and applied research work exploring the fundamentals, potential and practicality of the various potential uses of microorganisms in mineral engineering.