Biomining

Biomining uses microorganisms to recover metals, in particular copper and gold, from ores and concentrates. This book takes a strong applied approach to the study of biomining. It describes emerging and established industrial processes, as well as the underlying theory of the process, along with the biology of the microorganisms involved. Chapters have been contributed by experts from leading biomining companies, consultants and internationally recognized researchers and academics.

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.

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).