Biohydrometallurgical Processes

Book excerpt: Extensive industrialization has led to an increased release of toxic metals into the soil and air. Industrial waste can include mine overburden, bauxite residue, and E waste, and these can serve as a source of valuable recoverable metals. There are relatively simple methods to recycle these wastes, but they require additional chemicals, are expensive, and generate secondary waste that causes environmental pollution. Biohydrometallurgical processing is a cost-effective and ecofriendly alternative where biological processes help conserve dwindling ore resources and extract metals in a nonpolluting way. Microbes can be used in metal extraction from primary ores, waste minerals, and industrial and mining wastes. Biohydrometallurgical Processes: Metal Recovery and Remediation serves as a useful guide for microbiologists, biotechnologists, and various industrialists dealing with mining, metallurgy, chemical engineering, and environmental sciences. Features: Examines advances in biohydrometallurgy, biomineralization, and bioleaching techniques Discusses the importance of bacteria in biohydrometallurgical processes and microbial interventions for waste cleanup and upgradation of minerals Presents the latest techniques for biosynthesis related to different metals, along with recent developments in alternative procedures using extremophiles and leaching bacteria