Abstract
Biological processes for metal solubilization and ore beneficiation are in widespread use today. There are also some promising new applications of biotechnology in the areas of metal concentration and toxic metal cleanup. Recent progress in genetic engineering promises both to revolutionize the existing biological process and to expedite the adoption of the new biological applications. But before it can do so effectively, progress must be made in many areas of fundamental research and in biochemical engineering. These issues are addressed with special reference to the biotechnology of semi-enclosed containers (bioreactors), dumps, heaps, in situ and underground leaching, and with respect to the biotechnology of metal concentration. Finally, certain biological considerations for bacterial strain improvement are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Agate, A., 1988, Minerals & Metallurgical Processing, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 66–68.
Bennett, J.C., and Tributsch, H., 1978, “Bacterial Leaching Patterns on Bacterial Leaching Surfaces,” Journal of Bacteriology, Vol. 134, pp. 310–317.
Brierley, J.A., Brierley, C.L., and Goyak, G.M., 1986, “AMT-BIOCLAIM: A New Wastewater Treatment and Metal Recovery Technology,” Fundamental and Applied Biohydrometallurgy, R.W. Lawrence, R.M.R. Branion, and H.G. Ebner, eds., Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 291–304.
Christison, J., Belson, N.S., and Lakshmanan, V.I., 1986, “Biological Control of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans by Predatory Organisms,” Contract Report No. OSQ85-00179, Energy, Mines and Resources, Canada (Canmet), Ottawa.
Dugan, P.R., 1984, “Desulfurization of Coal by Mixed Microbial Cultures,” Microbial Chemoautotrophy, W.R. Strohl and O.H. Tuovinen, eds., Ohio State University Press, Columbus, pp. 3–9.
Espejo, R.T., and Romero, P., 1987, “Growth of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans on Elemental Sulfur,” Applied Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 53, pp. 1907–1912.
Harrison, A.P., 1984, “The Acidophilic Thiobacilli and Other Acidophilic Bacteria That Share the Same Habitat,” Annual Review of Microbiology, Vol. 38, pp. 265–292.
Holmes, D.S., Lobos, J.H., Bopp, L.H., and Welch, G.C., 1983, “Setting Up a Genetic System De Novo for Studying the Acidophilic Thiobacillus T. ferrooxidans,” Recent Progress in Biohydrometallurgy, G. Rossi and A.E. Torma, eds., Associazione Mineraria Sarda, Iglesias, Italy, pp. 541–554.
Holmes, D.S., 1988, “Genetic Manipulation of Bacteria: A Primer for the Mining and Metal-Processing Industries,” Special Topics in Mineral Processing Seminar, Pune, India, Dec. 30, 1987 - Jan. 1, 1988.
Hutchins, S.R., Davidson, M.S., Brierley, J.A., and Brierley, C.L., 1986, “Microorganisms in Reclamation of Metals,” Annual Review of Microbiology, Vol. 40, pp. 311–336.
Ismay, A., Rosato, L., and McKinnon, D., 1986, “Engineering Prefeasibility for In Situ Bacterial Leaching of Copper,” Fundamental and Applied Biohydrometallurgy, R.W. Lawrence, R.M.R. Branion, and H.G. Ebner, eds., Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 191–213.
Leib, T.K., and Holmes, D.S., 1987, “Designed Metal-Binding Proteins,” Biotechnology, Vol. 87, pp. 208–215.
Marchant, P.B., 1986, “Commercial Piloting and the Economic Feasibility of Plant Scale Continuous Biological Tank Leaching at Equity Silver Mines Limited,” Fundamental and Applied Biohydrometallurgy, R.W. Lawrence, R.M.R. Branion, and H.G. Ebner, eds., Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 53–76.
Matin, A., 1978, “Organic Nutrition of Chemolithotropic Bacteria,” Annual Review of Microbiology, Vol. 32, pp. 433–468.
Monod, J., 1949, Annual Review of Microbiology, Vol. 3, p. 371.
Natarajan, K., 1988, “Electrochemical Aspects of Bioleaching Multisulfide Minerals,” Minerals & Metallurgical Processing, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 61–65.
Norris, P.R., and Parrott, 1986, “High Temperature Mineral Concentrate Dissolution with Sulfolobus,” Fundamental and Applied Biohydrometallurgy, R.W. Lawrence, R.M.R. Branion, and H.G. Ebner, eds., Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 355–365.
Sanmugasunderam, V., Branion, R.M.R., and Duncan, D.W., 1986, “Two Stage Microbiological Leaching, With and Without Recycle to the First Stage, of a Zinc Sulfide Concentrate by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans,” Fundamental and Applied Biohydrometallurgy, R.W. Lawrence, R.M.R. Branion, and H.G. Ebner, eds., Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 263–275.
Smith, T.A., Lerch, K., and Hodgson, K.D., 1986, Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 25, pp. 4677–4680.
Torma, A.E., 1986, “Biohydrometallurgy as an Emerging Technology,” Proceedings, Biotechnology and Bioengineering Symposium, Vol. 16, H.L. Ehrlich and D.S. Holmes, eds., pp. 49–63.
Yates, J.R., Lobos, J.H., and Holmes, D.S., 1986, “The Use of Genetic Probes to Detect Microorganisms in Biomining Operations,” Journal of Industrial Microbiology, Vol. 1, pp. 129–135.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
M&MP paper 88–644, Special Topics in Mineral Processing Seminar, Pune, India, Dec. 30, 1987–Jan. 1, 1988. Discussion of this paper must be submitted, in duplicate, prior to July 31, 1988.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Holmes, D.S. Biotechnology in the mining and metal processing industries: challenges and opportunities. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 5, 49–56 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402490
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402490