Biotech key to unlock mineral resources value
(1. School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China;
2. Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)
2. Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)
Abstract: This work aims to describe the history of biometallurgy in China, introduce the development and application of biometallurgy technologies in exploitation of mineral resources, and identify the main challenges and future directions. Although the earliest biometallurgy activities in China were documented in 6th-7th century BC, fundamental research and biometallurgy applications started relatively late in this country. Rapid development, from phenotypic to genotypic characterization of biometallurgy microorganisms, as well as from theoretical to practical applications, has been made in China since the 1950s. The integrated applications of biometallurgy technology in copper, gold, and uranium extraction ensured China’s economic reserves of strategic mineral resources. Developing more efficient microorganisms and strengthening the micro-interface reactions will be an effective way to improve the biometallurgy efficiency. Biometallurgy technologies can also be adapted to recovery of valuable metal from marine minerals and e-wastes and environmental protection including carbon sequestration and heavy metal polluted soil/sediment bioremediation.
Key words: biotechnology; biometallurgy; bioleaching; mineral resources; nonferrous metals