- Using microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, archaea, or plants to extract metals from ores and other solid materials is known as biomining.
- This eco-friendly method can also be used to clean up sites where metal pollutants have contaminated the environment.
- It does this by oxidizing metals, which makes them more soluble and recoverable. The two primary procedures are:
- Bioleaching: To facilitate extraction, microorganisms dissolve the desired metal directly from its ore.
- Biooxidation: The target metal is enriched and its extraction is made easier by microbes breaking down nearby minerals.
METALS EXTRACTED VIA BIOMINING
Metals like copper, uranium, nickel, and gold, which are usually found in sulfidic minerals, are the primary metals extracted by biomining.
ADVANTAGES
- Environmental Sustainability: Compared to conventional mining, there is less carbon footprint and toxic waste.
- Energy Efficiency: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by using less energy.
- Reduced Water Usage: Advantageous in places with limited water resources since it uses water more effectively.
CHALLENGES
