The Catalytic Role of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans for Metals Extraction from Mining - Metallurgical Resource

Mining and metallurgy have negative consequences for the environment [1-3] and lead to changes in geological [4] and climatic conditions [5]. Mining-metallurgy operations include the extraction, preparing of ores (crushing ore and flotation), processing of concentrates, and the disposal of waste rock and by-products. The main waste in mining and metallurgy are waste rocks, flotation tailings and slag, which often contain significant amounts of valuable metals; sometimes even more than the ore. Because of the increased exposure of surface and quantity of minerals in ores and waste to water and air, the natural dissolution of sulfides is increased in mining regions which leads to formation of acid mine drainage (AMD) rich with metals.The ores, concentrates and waste from copper mining and metallurgy can be subjected to biological treatment in order to utilize this resource for recovery of metals.In addition, the microorganisms can be used for remediation of AMD.