Stocktake Sale on now: wide range of books at up to 70% off!
Register      Login
Microbiology Australia Microbiology Australia Society
Microbiology Australia, bringing Microbiologists together
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Microbial cooperation improves bioleaching recovery rates

Melissa K Corbett A and Elizabeth LJ Watkin A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, CHIRI Biosciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia

B Tel: +61 2 9266 2955, Email: e.watkin@curtin.edu.au

Microbiology Australia 39(1) 50-52 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA18013
Published: 16 February 2018

Abstract

Whilst bioleaching is primarily used to recover minerals from low-grade ores, the increasing demand for Rare Earth elements combined with supply chain concerns is opening up new avenues of extraction from mine tailings, waste products and recyclable materials. Exploration of new, novel and economically viable techniques are required to manage the coming shortage and volatility of global markets with more environmentally sound alternatives to traditional mining operations holding the key.


References

[1]  Agate, A.D. (1996) Recent advances in microbial mining. World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 12, 487–495.
Recent advances in microbial mining.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XmsFyit7w%3D&md5=efbd71f2b423308ac729687218ebe66dCAS |

[2]  Rawlings, D.E. and Johnson, D.B. (2006) Biomining. Springer: Berlin, Heidelberg.

[3]  Rawlings, D.E. (1998) Industrial practice and biology of leaching metals from ores. J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 20, 268–274.
Industrial practice and biology of leaching metals from ores.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXltlersLw%3D&md5=ab828ac2cc6dbf5323f40940bede41ecCAS |

[4]  Watling, H.R. (2015) Review of biohydrometallurgical metals extraction from polymetallic mineral resources. Minerals (Basel) 5, 1–60.
Review of biohydrometallurgical metals extraction from polymetallic mineral resources.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[5]  Humphries, M. (2010) Rare Earth Elements: The Global Supply Chain. DIANE Publishing Company.

[6]  Long, K.R. et al. (2010) The principal rare earth elements deposits of the United States—A summary of domestic deposits and a global perspective. U.S. Geological Survey. Sci. Investig. Rep. 96.

[7]  Massari, S. and Ruberti, M. (2013) Rare earth elements as critical raw materials: focus on international markets and future strategies. Resour. Policy 38, 36–43.
Rare earth elements as critical raw materials: focus on international markets and future strategies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[8]  Groudeva, V.I. et al. (2007) Bioleaching of a rich-in-carbonates copper ore at alkaline pH. Adv. Mat. Res. 20–21, 103–106.
Bioleaching of a rich-in-carbonates copper ore at alkaline pH.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[9]  Qu, Y. and Lian, B. (2013) Bioleaching of rare earth and radioactive elements from red mud using Penicillium tricolor RM-10. Bioresour. Technol. 136, 16–23.
Bioleaching of rare earth and radioactive elements from red mud using Penicillium tricolor RM-10.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXmvV2ks7w%3D&md5=c9c49d7567384f4577a17c8c96da1cb7CAS |

[10]  Barmettler, F. et al. (2016) Microbial mobilization of rare earth elements (REE) from mineral solids—a mini review. AIMS Microbiology 2, 190–204.
Microbial mobilization of rare earth elements (REE) from mineral solids—a mini review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[11]  Shin, D. et al. (2015) Use of phosphate solubilizing bacteria to leach rare earth elements from monazite bearing ore. Minerals (Basel) 5, 189–202.
Use of phosphate solubilizing bacteria to leach rare earth elements from monazite bearing ore.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[12]  Akcil, A. et al. (2007) Role and contribution of pure and mixed cultures of mesophiles in bioleaching of a pyritic chalcopyrite concentrate. Miner. Eng. 20, 310–318.
Role and contribution of pure and mixed cultures of mesophiles in bioleaching of a pyritic chalcopyrite concentrate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhsFKlu7w%3D&md5=33fcbedbf84929a7318ccfe311cc4f0dCAS |

[13]  Corbett, M.K. et al. (2017) Interactions of phosphate solubilising microorganisms with natural rare-earth phosphate minerals: a study utilizing Western Australian monazite. Bioprocess Biosyst. Eng. 40, 929–942.
Interactions of phosphate solubilising microorganisms with natural rare-earth phosphate minerals: a study utilizing Western Australian monazite.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2sXkvVWhtbg%3D&md5=547cdb4b4587c421dfe165b87bf1eb0bCAS |

[14]  Corbett, M.K. et al. (2017) Incorporation of indigenous microorganisms increases leaching rates of rare earth elements from Western Australian monazite. Diffus. Defect Data Solid State Data Pt. B Solid State Phenom. 262, 294–298.
Incorporation of indigenous microorganisms increases leaching rates of rare earth elements from Western Australian monazite.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[15]  BREE G.A. (2014) Australian Energey Resource Assessment, 2nd edn. (Economics, B.o.R.a.E., ed.), Geosciences Australia.