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Applications in Bioming

Bioming, or biohydrometallurgy, utilizes microbes like Thiobacillus ferrooxidans to extract metals from low-grade ores by oxidizing sulfur to leach metals such as copper and iron. This process enhances metal recovery and can potentially be applied to other metals like uranium, arsenic, and gold. Despite its effectiveness, the use of microbial extraction in mining has declined in recent years.

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Wondwosen Getachew
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7 views1 page

Applications in Bioming

Bioming, or biohydrometallurgy, utilizes microbes like Thiobacillus ferrooxidans to extract metals from low-grade ores by oxidizing sulfur to leach metals such as copper and iron. This process enhances metal recovery and can potentially be applied to other metals like uranium, arsenic, and gold. Despite its effectiveness, the use of microbial extraction in mining has declined in recent years.

Uploaded by

Wondwosen Getachew
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Bioming (Microbiological Mining)

 Biohydrometallurgy uses microbes to extract metals from ores, especially from less
concentrated sources.
 Mechanism: Chemolithotrophic acidophilic bacteria (e.g., Thiobacillus ferrooxidans) oxidize
sulfur, which in turn leaches (dissolves) metals like copper, zinc, lead, and uranium from their
respective sulfide minerals, resulting in pure metal.
 Example: Copper in low-grade ores is often present as copper sulfide. When acidic water is
sprayed on such ore, T. ferrooxidans can leach the copper.
o Acidic water is sprayed over the ore creates an optimal condition for the growth
of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans which is an chemolithotrophic acidophilic bacteria
 Chemolithotrophic – obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic compounds for
cellular biosynthesis
 Acidophilic – can thrive in acidic natural environments
o Thiobacillus ferrooxidans oxidizes the sulfur that binds with metals such as
copper and iron to sulphate releasing pure metal Copper sulfide
 (Cu2 S)+ oxygen -----> pure copper + sulfate (SO4 2-) + energy
 Iron oxide (FeS2 ) + oxygen ---> pure iron + sulphate + energy
o Then the metals will be converted into a water soluble form that can be retrieved
and used by humans
 Combination of T. ferrooxidans and T. thiooxidans degrade copper and iron ores to release iron
and copper more rapidly than either one does alone
 Combination of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and T. organoparus degrade pyrite (FeS2 ) and
chalcopyrite (CuFeS2 ) to release iron and copper, although neither organism can degrade the
minerals alone
 Other bacteria can be used to extract uranium from low-grade uranium ore
 Bacteria may eventually be used to extract arsenic, lead, zinc, cobalt and gold
 However, recently fewer mining companies are actually using microbes to extract metals

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