Bioleaching at the beginning of the 21st century

Authors

  • Y. Rodríguez Depto. de Ciencias de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid
  • M. L. Blázquez Depto. de Ciencias de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
  • A. Ballester Depto. de Ciencias de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
  • F. González Depto. de Ciencias de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
  • J. A. Muñoz Depto. de Ciencias de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/revmetalm.2001.v37.i5.528

Keywords:

Biohydrometallurgy, Bioleaching, Metal sulfides, Acidophilic bacteria,

Abstract


Bioleaching is one of the most promising techniques for the treatment of sulfide concentrates on the basis of its advantages widely recognized. It allows the recovery of metals from different ores (especially low-grade and refractory ones) in a natural way, with low costs and in a friendly manner with respect to the environment, competing with conventional extractive processes. During the last decade research has focused on basis knowledge of the process. Advances have been made in biochemical, genetic and molecular aspects of the microorganisms involved in the process, and in the design and improvement of the process by a better knowledge of physical-chemical factors affecting the yield of the process, and the use of catalytic ions which improve dissolution. This bibliographical revision seeks to summarize the history of the bioleaching and its microbiological base, and also to indicate its current state and possible future developments that will take place.

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Published

2001-10-30

How to Cite

Rodríguez, Y., Blázquez, M. L., Ballester, A., González, F., & Muñoz, J. A. (2001). Bioleaching at the beginning of the 21st century. Revista De Metalurgia, 37(5), 616–627. https://doi.org/10.3989/revmetalm.2001.v37.i5.528

Issue

Section

Reviews