Bio-processing for metal extraction, recycling and effluent treatment- an overview

Abstract

The microbes are generally responsible for the exploitation of ores which cannot be otherwise processed economically , and are sometimes the only option to handle the complexities associated with vast un-exploited mineral treasures including secondary resources. In the Indian context, bio-processing of copper and uranium based resources, and bio-beneficiation of off-grade ores are considered to be of sufficient interest. Metal bioremediation is a potential tool to treat wastewaters from mining and metallurgical operations with high level of cations, anions and excess acids, which are hazardous to ecosystem. National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR), Jamshedpur has made use of such biotechnological tools in metal solubilization from ores/ concentrates/wastes and metal bioremediation.The notable amongst these includes the bio-processing of ocean nodules , copper converter slag and concentrate, and other low grade ores of copper and uranium. The achievements in some of these activities and the possibilities of extraction of a few such nonferrous metals focusing the country 's requirements by applying the biohydrometallurgy are presented in this paper.