7
hours of treatment with one bio-solvent. Over the same
time, the target metal composition increased by approxi-
mately 3%. Three bio-solvents solubilized tailings material
to a similar extent as sulfuric acid. Subtle differences were
present between the bio-solvents, with one only minimally
solubilizing the low level of Ni and Cu present in these
tailings relative to sulfuric acid. These preliminary results
suggest that we are able to fine-tune the bio-solvents to
target the removal of specific minerals and prevent others
from dissolving from both the ore and tailings tested. We
are continuing to evaluate an expanded range of materials
and bio-solvents.
Our work in material agglomeration also utilizes the
microbial and enzyme database and bio-bank to harness
and improve the ability of microbes to enable carbonate
precipitation. In parallel, our laboratory-scale application
experiments have demonstrated the ability to achieve sig-
nificant increases in material strength for a range of min-
ing-associated materials, including ores and tailings. We are
also beginning to successfully tailor our microbial products
and processes to meet chemical and physical specifications
relevant to targeted mining applications including stockpile
protection from the elements, dust control, and tailings sta-
bilization. For example, we are developing bio-cementation
formulations that work well in low moisture systems as
would be required for iron and nickel cargo liquefaction
control.
Allonnia’s exploration of complex biological reactions
that could transform mining technology is just starting and
holds vast possibilities. Our early efforts, shared here, illus-
trate exciting prospects for harnessing biology’s potential in
mining for selective solubilization which has direct applica-
tions within ore beneficiation via gangue removal and the
bio-cementation of tailings and stockpiles.
REFERENCES
[1] Bullock, L.A., et al. (2021) “Global carbon dioxide
removal potential of waste materials from metal and
diamond mining.” Frontiers in Climate 3: 694175.
[2] Castro, I., et al. (2000) “Bioleaching of zinc and
nickel from silicates using Aspergillus niger cultures.”
Hydrometallurgy 57.1: 39–49.
[3] Dong, et al. (2022) “A critical review of mineral–
microbe interaction and co-evolution: mechanisms
and applications.” National science review 9.10:
nwac128.
[4] Jain, N., and D. K. Sharma. (2004) “Biohydro-
metallurgy for nonsulfidic minerals—a review.”
Geomicrobiology Journal 21.3: 135–144.
[5] Lamérand, C, et al. (2020) “Olivine dissolution and
hydrous Mg carbonate and silicate precipitation in
the presence of microbial consortium of photo-auto-
trophic and heterotrophic bacteria.” Geochimica et
Cosmochimica Acta 268: 123–141.
[6] Li, Z-b., et al. (2019). “Specificity of low molecular
weight organic acids on the release of elements from
lizardite during fungal weathering.” Geochimica et
Cosmochimica Acta.
[7] Mujah, D. et al. (2017) “State-of-the-art review of bio-
cementation by microbially induced calcite precipita-
tion (MICP) for soil stabilization.” Geomicrobiology
Journal 34.6: 524–537.
[8] Naveed, M. et al. (2020) “Application of microbially
induced calcium carbonate precipitation with urea
hydrolysis to improve the mechanical properties of
soil.” Ecological Engineering, 153, 105885.
[9] Proudfoot, D. et al. (2022) “Investigating the poten-
tial for microbially induced carbonate precipitation
to treat mine waste.” Journal of Hazardous Materials,
424, 127490.
[10] Song, M. et al. (2022) “A review on the applications
of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipita-
tion in solid waste treatment and soil remediation.”
Chemosphere, 290, 133229.
[11] Torres, M. A., et al. (2019). “The kinetics of sidero-
phore‐mediated olivine dissolution.” Geobiology 17.4:
401–416.
hours of treatment with one bio-solvent. Over the same
time, the target metal composition increased by approxi-
mately 3%. Three bio-solvents solubilized tailings material
to a similar extent as sulfuric acid. Subtle differences were
present between the bio-solvents, with one only minimally
solubilizing the low level of Ni and Cu present in these
tailings relative to sulfuric acid. These preliminary results
suggest that we are able to fine-tune the bio-solvents to
target the removal of specific minerals and prevent others
from dissolving from both the ore and tailings tested. We
are continuing to evaluate an expanded range of materials
and bio-solvents.
Our work in material agglomeration also utilizes the
microbial and enzyme database and bio-bank to harness
and improve the ability of microbes to enable carbonate
precipitation. In parallel, our laboratory-scale application
experiments have demonstrated the ability to achieve sig-
nificant increases in material strength for a range of min-
ing-associated materials, including ores and tailings. We are
also beginning to successfully tailor our microbial products
and processes to meet chemical and physical specifications
relevant to targeted mining applications including stockpile
protection from the elements, dust control, and tailings sta-
bilization. For example, we are developing bio-cementation
formulations that work well in low moisture systems as
would be required for iron and nickel cargo liquefaction
control.
Allonnia’s exploration of complex biological reactions
that could transform mining technology is just starting and
holds vast possibilities. Our early efforts, shared here, illus-
trate exciting prospects for harnessing biology’s potential in
mining for selective solubilization which has direct applica-
tions within ore beneficiation via gangue removal and the
bio-cementation of tailings and stockpiles.
REFERENCES
[1] Bullock, L.A., et al. (2021) “Global carbon dioxide
removal potential of waste materials from metal and
diamond mining.” Frontiers in Climate 3: 694175.
[2] Castro, I., et al. (2000) “Bioleaching of zinc and
nickel from silicates using Aspergillus niger cultures.”
Hydrometallurgy 57.1: 39–49.
[3] Dong, et al. (2022) “A critical review of mineral–
microbe interaction and co-evolution: mechanisms
and applications.” National science review 9.10:
nwac128.
[4] Jain, N., and D. K. Sharma. (2004) “Biohydro-
metallurgy for nonsulfidic minerals—a review.”
Geomicrobiology Journal 21.3: 135–144.
[5] Lamérand, C, et al. (2020) “Olivine dissolution and
hydrous Mg carbonate and silicate precipitation in
the presence of microbial consortium of photo-auto-
trophic and heterotrophic bacteria.” Geochimica et
Cosmochimica Acta 268: 123–141.
[6] Li, Z-b., et al. (2019). “Specificity of low molecular
weight organic acids on the release of elements from
lizardite during fungal weathering.” Geochimica et
Cosmochimica Acta.
[7] Mujah, D. et al. (2017) “State-of-the-art review of bio-
cementation by microbially induced calcite precipita-
tion (MICP) for soil stabilization.” Geomicrobiology
Journal 34.6: 524–537.
[8] Naveed, M. et al. (2020) “Application of microbially
induced calcium carbonate precipitation with urea
hydrolysis to improve the mechanical properties of
soil.” Ecological Engineering, 153, 105885.
[9] Proudfoot, D. et al. (2022) “Investigating the poten-
tial for microbially induced carbonate precipitation
to treat mine waste.” Journal of Hazardous Materials,
424, 127490.
[10] Song, M. et al. (2022) “A review on the applications
of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipita-
tion in solid waste treatment and soil remediation.”
Chemosphere, 290, 133229.
[11] Torres, M. A., et al. (2019). “The kinetics of sidero-
phore‐mediated olivine dissolution.” Geobiology 17.4:
401–416.