title: A case in support of implementing innovative bio-processes in the metal mining industry.
abstract: The metal mining industry faces many large challenges in future years, among which is the increasing need to process low-grade ores as accessible higher grade ores become depleted. This is against a backdrop of increasing global demands for base and precious metals, and rare earth elements. Typically about 99% of solid material hauled to, and ground at, the land surface currently ends up as waste (rock dumps and mineral tailings). Exposure of these to air and water frequently leads to the formation of acidic, metal-contaminated run-off waters, referred to as acid mine drainage, which constitutes a severe threat to the environment. Formation of acid drainage is a natural phenomenon involving various species of lithotrophic (literally 'rock-eating') bacteria and archaea, which oxidize reduced forms of iron and/or sulfur. However, other microorganisms that reduce inorganic sulfur compounds can essentially reverse this process. These microorganisms can be applied on industrial scale to precipitate metals from industrial mineral leachates and acid mine drainage streams, resulting in a net improvement in metal recovery, while minimizing the amounts of leachable metals to the tailings storage dams. Here, we advocate that more extensive exploitation of microorganisms in metal mining operations could be an important way to green up the industry, reducing environmental risks and improving the efficiency and the economy of metal recovery.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4 6708 WE Wageningen, the Netherlands irene.sanchezandrea@wur.nl.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Andrea
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4 6708 WE Wageningen, the Netherlands CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Alfons J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Stams
authors.affiliation: Sub-department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weijma
authors.affiliation: Paques B.V., Tjalke de Boerstrjitte 24, 8561 El Balk, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gonzalez Contreras
authors.affiliation: Paques B.V., Tjalke de Boerstrjitte 24, 8561 El Balk, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dijkman
authors.affiliation: Paques B.V., Tjalke de Boerstrjitte 24, 8561 El Balk, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rene A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rozendal
authors.affiliation: College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
authors.forename: D Barrie
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D001105:Archaea / Q000378:metabolism*; D052818:Autotrophic Processes; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008906:Mining / Q000379:methods; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008670:Metals; D013431:Sulfates; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007501:Iron
keywords: acidophiles; mining industry; selective metal precipitation; sulfate-reducing bacteria