Journal of Industrial Biotechnology

Review Article Pages 32-41

Advances in Microbial Leaching as a Non-Conventional Technique for Metal Recovery from Ores: A Review

Authors: Shimaa S Hussien

Abstract: The need for heavy metal recovery, together with the profitability of precious and base metals are strong incentives for researchers to find a sustainable method for metal recovery from ore and waste. The scientific community is trying to improve the efficiency of non-conventional methods for metal recovery from ores and wastes using bioleaching, a more sustainable method in comparison to conventional metallurgical traditional methods. The main objective of this review is describes how to use microbes for bio-dissolution and recovery of strategic elements as uranium, thorium and rare earth elements from ore especially low grade and the kinetic models that describe the bioleaching processes. In addition, the application of novel approaches to understand how the contribution of microorganisms and their genetic modification can affect the processes, are reviewed.

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