Scientists have discovered bacteria that are tolerant of salt and acid, which have potential to assist mineral leaching in ore processing.
A CSIRO bio-prospecting survey found the potential ‘bioleaching’ bacteria in the WA Wheatbelt, near Merredin.
Bioleaching is the term given to using microorganisms to extract metals from ore.
CSIRO environmental microbiologist Dr Suzy Rea headed the survey, which was conducted under the Water Reuse and Environmental Process Engineering research program.
“Bioleaching is already commercially up and running, about 15−18 per cent of the world's copper supply is actually done via bioleaching,” Rea told Science Network WA.
Rea said a key problem for bioleaching in heavy mining countries such as Australia is the lack of fresh water, with groundwater becoming increasingly saline.
However, the newly discovered bacteria were found by searching Wheatbelt farmland drains for salty, acidic water, and are more salt tolerant than any bacteria previously discovered.
“Usually microorganisms can handle one extreme condition but not another and our bugs are already managing acid because all leaching is done, at least for copper sulphide ores, in an acidic environment,” Rea said..
Rea said that although biological processes are already used for low-grade sulphide ores and gold extraction, researchers like her are now looking for ways to use bacteria for oxide ores like iron, which will become more important as high grade ores begin to run out in the period from 2030 to 2050.
Rea’s research project activities include looking at biofloatation of iron ores using bacterial microbes and their products to replace the hazardous chemicals currently used for separating iron ores from gangue ores (valueless mineral deposits).
Source:Australian Mining
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