Biomining: Theory, Microbes and Industrial Processes (Biotechnology Intelligence Unit) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3662061139 ISBN 13: 9783662061138

Publisher: Springer, 2012

Synopsis

Biomining is the use of microorganisms in the recovery of metals from ores. During bioleaching, metals such as copper, nickel or zinc are oxidized through microbial action from the water-insoluble sulfide to the soluble sulfate forms. Although gold is inert to microbial action, microbes can also be used in gold recovery from certain types of ores because as they oxidize the ore, they open up its structure, thereby allowing a gold-solubilizing agent such as cyanide to penetrate the ore. The book describes several industrial bioleaching and biooxidation processes as well as the underlying theory and biology of the microbes involved.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Biomining is the biotechnology that uses microorganisms to recover metals, in particular copper and gold, from ores and concentrates. Having developed from a very simple operational (in terms of both engineering and biology) process, biomining has developed into a multifaceted technology, to the extent that many of the largest industrial stirred tanks and heaps throughout the world are employed for bioprocessing minerals.

This book has a strong applied approach and describes emerging and established industrial processes, as well as the underlying theory of the process, and the biology of the microorganisms involved. Chapters have been written by personnel from leading biomining companies, consultants and internationally recognized researchers and academics.

About the Author

Douglas E. Rawlings: Professor and Head of Department of Microbiology at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. BSc (Hons), PhD Rhodes University, South Africa. Fellow of the University of Cape Town, Royal Society of South Africa (an immediate past President of RSSAf). Editor of previous book on subject Biomining, Theory, Microbes and Industrial Processes, published by Springer and RG Landes (1997).

D. Barrie Johnson: Reader in Environmental and Applied Microbiology at the University of Wales, Bangor, U.K. Doctoral and Batchelor degrees from the University of Wales. Fellowships held at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratories, (US Department of Energy).

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3662061139
• ISBN 13: 9783662061138
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 314
• Editor: Rawlings Douglas E.