The global bioleaching market is set to double from $10.14bn in 2024 to $21.37bn by 2033. Despite slow adoption due to high costs and low-grade ores, major companies like Rio Tinto are investing in large-scale bioleaching. Copper extraction accounts for almost half of the market revenue.
Bioleaching involves using bacteria to extract metals like copper from ores. Chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms oxidize iron or sulphur to release soluble copper ions. Heterotrophic bacteria metabolize carbon sources to produce organic acids that react with copper oxide or carbonate ores.
Heap leaching is a cheaper but slower method, with recovery rates between 70% and 90%. Vat leaching is faster, with higher recovery rates, but is more expensive. Bioleaching will become mainstream as it transitions from viable to lucrative, with countries like Chile leading the way in commercialization efforts.
President and CEO of BacTech, Ross Orr, emphasizes the importance of matching bioleaching methods with operational needs for success. The process of bioleaching breaks down the matrix of metals, making it economically viable to extract valuable minerals like copper. Countries like Chile are extending mine life through bioleaching. In Europe, interest in copper bioleaching from mining operators hasn’t translated to profit, with limited success in commercialization. Ekolive shifted focus to soil remediation and ecological biostimulants. BacTech, on the other hand, found success downstream, building bioleaching plants for operators and expanding into other metals. Rio Tinto and Zijinshan have successful copper bioleaching operations globally.
BiotaTec has found success in bioleaching by targeting a variety of materials beyond low-grade ores, such as industrial waste streams and phosphogypsum. Europe aims to strengthen its critical mineral supply chains, with potential in phosphogypsum for rare earth elements. BiotaTec has business cases in the rare earth space, including end-of-life materials like wind turbine magnets and e-waste.
BacTech has found success in tailings management solutions, working with Vale on nickel recovery from pyrrhotite tailings in Canada. The process not only recovers valuable metals but also produces organic fertilizers and other byproducts. This innovative approach offers decarbonization benefits and additional revenue streams. A company called ekolive is using a zero tailings process to produce biofertilizers from iron ore mine tailings. They use a patented eco-bioleaching technology that replicates natural soil-formation processes. While bioleaching shows promise, it has not yet reached widespread commercial application in the mining industry. The company is focusing on agriculture due to its proven commercial success in the field.
Read more at Yahoo Finance: Bioleachers are sitting on a copper cache: why is uptake slow?