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

The microbes are generally responsible for the exploi-tation of ores which cannot be otherwise processed
economically, and are sometimes the only option to handle the complexities associated with vast unexploited mineral treasures including secondary resources. In the Indian context, bio-processing of copper and uranium based res-ources, and bio-beneficiation of off grade ores are consi-dered to be of sufficient interest. Metal hio-remediation 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 (C'SIR). Jamshedpur has made use of such hio-technological tools in metal solubi-lization from ores/ concentrates/wastes and metal bio-remediation. 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 Jew such non- ferrous metals focusing the country's requirements by applying the hio-hydrometallurgy are presented in this paper.