Biotechnological Innovations in the Mineral-Metal Industry (Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation)

The book presents the most advanced biotechnological information with respect to microbial applications in the treatment of mineral-metal bearing wastes. With growing interest in practical industrial applications of biomining microbes, of late, a lot of research has been devoted towards exploring their biotechnological potential for processing wastes derived from both primary and secondary resources for metal recovery. The chapters in the book present compiled information on several aspects of this exciting area of mineral biotechnology, that include fundamental, applied, bioprocess engineering and environment in separate chapters. These chapters provide updated information on the microbe-mineral interactions; resource specific bioleaching covering base, precious and rare earth elements leaching from primary and/or secondary resources; processing of leach solutions through biosorption, biomineralization, bio-electrochemical systems for resource recovery; treatment of mine waters, engineering and scale-up aspects of bioreactor systems for bioleaching of specific wastes and environmental challenges related to bio-mining. The book provides a unique platform for the dissemination of the state-of-the-art research on mineral biotechnology and serves as a bridge between academia and industry. Authored by well-renowned experts, it is an appropriate reference for graduate students, scientists, engineers, environmentalists working in the area of mineral biotechnology and industrial technologies. Preface Contents About the Editors Microbes, Metal(Loid)s and Microbe–Metal(Loid) Interactions in the Context of Mining Industry Abstract 1 Introduction 2 Metal–Microbe Interactions 3 Biotechnological Applications of Metal–Microbe Interactions for Removal and Recovery of Metals 3.1 Bioleaching: Mobilisation of Metals from Low-Grade Ores and Solid Wastes 3.2 Biological Treatment, Removal and Recovery of Metals from Contaminated Aqueous Solutions 3.3 Bioelectrochemical Systems for Removal and Recovery of Metals 4 Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives References Chalcopyrite Dissolution: Challenges Abstract 1 Introduction 2 Chalcopyrite Properties and Models to Explain the Refractoriness 3 Galvanic Interaction 4 Bioleaching Microorganisms 5 Electrochemical Approaches for Chalcopyrite Dissolution 6 Redox Potential Control 7 Concluding Remarks References Bioleaching of Lateritic Nickel Ores Abstract 1 Application of Nickel in Various Industries and Characteristics of This Element 2 Types of Nickel Ores 3 Methods of Processing Nickel from Laterites 3.1 Pyrometallurgical Operations of Laterites 3.2 Hydrometallurgical Operations of Laterites 4 The Mechanism for Bacterial and Fungal Leaching (Bioleaching) of Laterites 4.1 Laterite’s Bioleaching 5 Importance of Bioleaching Method Among Other Methods of Processing Nickel from Laterites 5.1 The Merits and Demerits of Bacterial and Fungal Applications 6 Research Background (Leaching and Bioleaching) of Laterite Samples 7 Conclusions References Microbial Leaching Strategies for Extraction of Rare Earth Elements from Primary and Secondary Resources Abstract 1 Rare Earth Elements: Main Properties, Sources, and Applications 1.1 Primary Sources 1.2 Secondary Sources 2 Bioleaching Processes 2.1 Main Mechanisms and Microorganisms Involved in REE Bioleaching Processes 2.2 Factors Influencing the Bioleaching of REEs 3 Bioleaching Applications 3.1 State-of-the-Art 3.2 Future Research Perspective 4 Conclusive Remarks References Biotechnological Applications in Spent Lithium-Ion Battery Processing Abstract 1 Introduction 1.1 Structure of Lithium-Ion Batteries 1.1.1 Anode 1.1.2 Cathode 1.1.3 Electrolyte 1.1.4 Separator 1.2 Environmental Risk of Spent LIBs and Importance of Recycling 1.3 Bioleaching of Spent LIBs 2 Preparation and Pretreatment of Waste LIBs 2.1 Discharging and Dismantling (Disassembly) 2.2 Comminution and Mechanical Treatment 2.3 Classification and Separation 2.4 Dissolution 2.5 Thermal Treatment (Heat Treatment, Pyrolysis) 3 Bioleaching of Waste LIBs with Autotrophic Bacteria 3.1 Mechanisms 3.2 Microorganisms 3.3 Effective Parameters 3.3.1 pH 3.3.2 ORP 3.3.3 Bacteria Energy Source 3.3.4 Temperature 3.3.5 Pulp Density 4 Summary of Previous Studies 5 Bioleaching of Waste LIBs with Heterotrophic Bacteria and Fungi 5.1 Mechanisms 5.1.1 Acidolysis 5.1.2 Complexolysis 5.1.3 Redoxolysis 5.1.4 Bioaccumulation 5.1.5 Biosorption 5.2 Parameters Affecting Heterotrophic Bioleaching 5.2.1 PH 5.2.2 Temperature 5.2.3 Pulp Density 5.2.4 Nutrient or Source of Energy 6 Methods for Process Intensification 6.1 Catalysis for Bioleaching of LIBs 6.2 Sonobioleaching 6.3 High Pulp Density Bioleaching 6.4 Kinetics Studies 6.5 Bioleaching with Mixed Cultures 7 Methods of Metal Recovery 7.1 Solvent Extraction 7.2 Chemical and Biological Precipitation 7.3 Other Methods 8 Future Prospectives and Conclusions References Bio-Beneficiation: Relevance to Mineral Processing Abstract 1 Introduction 2 Absorption and Modification of Mineral Surfaces by Microorganisms 3 Bio-Beneficiation Mechanisms 3.1 DLVO and XDLVO Theory 3.2 Polymer Bridging (Adsorption Bridging) Theory 3.3 Cation Bridging Theory 3.4 Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) 4 Bioflocculation 4.1 Flocculation 4.2 Biotechnology for Flocculation 4.3 Application of Microorganisms in Bioflocculation 4.3.1 Paenibacillus polymyxa Oxide Minerals Coal Sulfide Minerals 4.3.2 Acidithiobacillus Group 4.3.3 Bacillus subtilis Iron Removal (Iron Oxides) from Kaolin Clays Pyrite Removal from Galena 4.3.4 Bacillus licheniformis Quartz Removal from Kaolinite Removal of Iron Oxides from Kaolinite and Quartz 4.3.5 Other Microorganisms 5 Bioflotation 5.1 Application of Microorganisms in Bioflotation 5.1.1 Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans 5.1.2 Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans 5.1.3 Aspergillus niger 5.1.4 Bacillus subtilis 5.1.5 Bacillus megaterium 5.1.6 Paenibacillus polymyxa (P. polymyxa) 5.1.7 Bacterial Consortium 5.1.8 Leptosririllum ferrooxidans 5.1.9 Rhodococcus opacus 6 Future Prospective and Conclusion References Phosphate Minerals and Applications of Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms for Extraction of Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements Abstract 1 Introduction 2 What Have We Learned from Soil Science and Agriculture Engineering? 3 From Mineral Weathering to Microbial Leaching 4 New Avenues for Mine Closure and Nutrient Management: PSMs Capability 5 Conclusion References Role of Biosurfactants in Heavy Metal Removal and Mineral Flotation Abstract 1 Introduction 2 What Are Surfactants and Biosurfactants? 3 Removal of Heavy Metals by Biosurfactants 3.1 Heavy Metal Binding Mechanisms of Biosurfactants 4 Biosurfactant in Mineral Floatation 4.1 Rhamnolipids in Mineral Ion Floatation 4.2 Use of Rhamnolipid in Coal and Mineral Floatation 5 Surfactin in Ion Floatation 6 Other Biosurfactants in the Removal of Heavy Metals 7 Conclusion and Future Aspects References Recovery of Metals from Leach Liquors: Biosorption versus Metal Sulfide Precipitation Abstract 1 Introduction 2 Metal Recovery from Leach Liquors 2.1 Metals Recovery by Sulfide Precipitation 2.2 Metals Recovery by Biosorption 3 Future Perspective for Recovery of Metals from Leach Liquors Through Biosorption and Sulfide Precipitation 4 Conclusions References Anaerobic Bioreactor Technology (ABT) for the Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Abstract 1 Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and Its Sources of Generation 1.1 Characteristics of AMD: Sulfide Minerals and pH Profile 1.2 Microbial Community in AMD 1.3 Effects of AMD on the Environment 2 Remediation Strategies 2.1 Active Abiotic Technologies 2.2 Passive Systems: Biotic and Abiotic 2.2.1 Injection of an Organic Substrate 2.2.2 Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB) 2.2.3 Anoxic Ponds 2.2.4 Wetlands 3 Bioreactor Applications in AMD Treatment: Focus on Anaerobic Technologies 3.1 Aerobic Bioreactor Technology for the Treatment of AMD 3.1.1 Algal-Based Bioreactors 3.1.2 Biochemical Reactor (BCR) System 3.1.3 Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) 3.2 Anaerobic Bioreactor Technology for the Treatment of AMD 3.2.1 AMD Treatment in Anaerobic Bioreactors: Mechanism 3.2.2 Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor (ASBR) 3.2.3 Up-Flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor (UASB) 3.2.4 Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) 3.2.5 Bioelectrochemical Treatment System (BES) 3.2.6 Anaerobic Sulfate-Reducing Bioreactors: Active Biotic Systems Metabolism of SRB for Sulfate Reduction 3.3 Critical Performance Indicators of Anaerobic Technologies 3.3.1 PH 3.3.2 Organic Substrates for Treatment of AMD: Direct versus Indirect Substrate 3.3.3 Hydraulic Retention Time 3.3.4 Temperature 3.3.5 Solid Support 3.3.6 Inhibitory Effect 4 Present State of Art and Future Perspective 5 Conclusion References Integration of Bioleaching and Biorefinery Technologies for the Recovery of Base and Critical Elements from Electronic Waste Abstract 1 Introduction 2 Electronic Waste Pre-treatment 2.1 Printed Circuit Boards 2.2 Lithium-Ion Batteries 2.3 Liquid–Crystal Displays 3 Bioleaching of Electronic Waste 3.1 Bioleaching Mechanisms 3.1.1 Redoxolysis 3.1.2 Complexolysis 3.1.3 Acidolysis 3.2 Bioleaching Optimization and Limiting Factors 3.2.1 Microorganisms 3.2.2 pH 3.2.3 Temperature 3.2.4 Growth Medium 3.2.5 Pulp Density 4 Biorecovery of Critical Metal from the Pregnant Leaching Solution 4.1 Comparison Between AMD and E-Waste PLS and Required Pre-treatment 4.2 Bioprecipitation 4.2.1 Sulfide Bioprecipitation 4.2.2 Reductive Bioprecipitation 4.2.3 Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) 4.3 Biosorption 4.3.1 Bacterially Mediated Surface Adsorption 4.3.2 Microalgae Mediated Surface Adsorption 4.4 Bioelectrochemical Metal Recovery Systems 5 Integration of Bioleaching for Biorecovery Processes 5.1 The Importance of PLS Characterization 5.2 Selective Biomineralization and Metal Speciation 6 Conclusions References Mineral Processing in Bioreactors: Fundamentals and Design Aspects Abstract 1 Introduction 2 Processes and Parameters in Mineral Processing Bioreactors 2.1 Metallurgical Unit Operations 2.2 Biometallurgical Mechanisms 2.3 Metallurgical Bioreactor Design 3 Bioreactor Process Monitoring and Control 3.1 Monitoring 3.2 Bioreactor Control/Modelling Strategies 3.2.1 PID-Based Control 3.2.2 Fuzzy Logic- and Artificial Neural Network-Based Control and Modelling 4 Industrial Applications 4.1 Gold Industry 4.2 Copper Industry 4.3 Nickel and Cobalt Industry 5 Opportunities and Future Directions 5.1 Emerging Bioreactor Initiatives 5.2 Novel Technologies 6 Concluding Remarks References Mineral–Metal Wastes (Bio)/Recycling: Compliance with Circular Economy Abstract 1 Introduction 1.1 Extraction of Metals Out of Weathered Ores/Tailings 1.2 Bio-extraction of Metals Out of Primary Ores/tailings 1.3 Extraction of Metals from Electrical-Electronic Waste 1.3.1 Disposal of Electronic Scrap 1.3.2 Electronic Scrap Recycling 1.3.3 Biotechnological Process for Extracting Base Metals Out of Electronic Scraps 1.4 Recycling of Aluminium from Waste of the Supply Water Treatment Plant 1.5 Bioleaching of Gravity Pyrite Concentrate from a Coal Mine Aiming at Producing Iron-Based Pigments 1.5.1 Bioleaching of Pyrite Gravity Concentrate 1.5.2 Pigment Production from the Liquor Generated in the Bioleaching of Pyrite Gravity Concentrates References