Biomining

 

Biomining

Why In News:

Delhi's Biomining project intended for the excavation, treatment, segregation and gainful utilisation of aged municipal solid waste is about to miss its 2024 deadline.

Definition:

*       Biomining can be defined as the extraction of minerals from ores by using microorganisms.

*       The microorganisms actually facilitate the extraction of metals from sulphide or iron-containing ores.   Metals solubilization process is involved in biomining and it is a combination of microbiology and chemistry.

*       Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) to degrade the environmental contaminants into less toxic or nontoxic forms.

What metals are currently bio mined?

*       Most current biomining operations target valuable metals like copper, uranium, nickel, and gold that are commonly found in sulfidic (sulphur-bearing) minerals.

*       Microbes are especially good at oxidizing sulfidic minerals, converting metals like iron and copper into forms that can dissolve more easily.

*       Other metals, like gold, are not directly dissolved by this microbial process, but are made more accessible to traditional mining techniques because the minerals surrounding these metals are dissolved and removed by microbial processes.

Significance of Biomining:

*       Biomining holds significant promise for sustainable resource recovery and environmental remediation.

*       It offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional mining, reducing the need for extensive excavation and minimizing environmental disruption.

*       Biomining can help recover valuable metals from low-grade ores or mine waste that would otherwise be uneconomical to extract, thus contributing to resource efficiency and conservation.

*       Biomining can be used to clean up sites contaminated with metals, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for environmental remediation.