Biomining: Industrial use of Bacteria for mineral processing. State of the Art and Future Perspectives

Abrego-Mayo J.H.; Jamanca-Lino G.; Ortiz N. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2025) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2025.1.1.1546

Resumen

Modern mining demands more sustainable and efficient processes day by day. Physicochemical methods are effective in high-grade ores, but they have limitations in low-concentration ores due to their low selectivity and the mineralogical characteristics of the deposit. As an alternative, bioleaching has gained popularity, especially in copper sulfide minerals and gold-bearing sulfides. Countries like Chile are at the forefront of developing this technology as they have applied this process industrially to copper. This article reviews the state of the art in copper and gold sulfide bioleaching based on laboratory studies. A review of the scientific literature was conducted, selecting 33 articles that report experimental laboratory tests and analyze variables such as pH, temperature, growth medium, kinetics, and nutrients. This article analyzes biomodulation, bioleaching, and biooxidation at the laboratory and pilot plant level. According to the literature, average recoveries of 70-80 % are reported. Additionally, experimental results of bacterial adaptation of a sulfide concentrate in an acidophilic bacterial consortium medium are presented, showing promising bacterial adaptation. The industrial limitations of the biomining process and its environmental and social benefits, as well as its future prospects in the industry, are discussed.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Privada del Norte