Recent Advances in Biomining and Microbial Characterisation

Since the discovery of bioleaching microorganisms and their role in metal extraction in the 1940s, a number of technical approaches have been developed to enhance microbially catalysed solubilisation of metals from ores, concentrates and waste materials. Biomining has enabled the transformation of uneconomic resources to reserves, and thus help to alleviate the challenges related to continually declining ore grades. The rapid advancement of microbial characterisation methods has vastly increased our understanding of microbial communities in biomining processes. The objective of this paper is to review the recent advances in biomining processes and microbial characterisation.

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