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http://dx.doi.org/10.7844/kirr.2011.20.2.030

Review on bioleaching of uranium from low-grade ore  

Patra, A.K. (Mineral Resources Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM))
Pradhan, D. (Mineral Resources Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM))
Kim, D.J. (Mineral Resources Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM))
Ahn, J.G (Division of Energy resources Engineering, Jungwon University)
Yoon, H.S. (Mineral Resources Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM))
Publication Information
Resources Recycling / v.20, no.2, 2011 , pp. 30-44 More about this Journal
Abstract
This review describes the involvement of different microorganisms for the recovery of uranium from the ore. Mainly Acidithiobacillus forrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans are found to be the most widely used bacteria in the bioleaching process of uranium. The bioleaching of uranium generally follows indirect mechanism in which bacteria provide the ferric iron required to oxidize $U^{4+}$. Commercial applications of bioleaching have been incorporated for extracting valuable metals, due to its favorable process economics and reduced environmental problems compared to conventional metal recovery processes such as smelting. At present the uranium is recovered through main bioleaching techniques employed by heap, dump and in situ leaching. Process development has included recognition of the importance of aeration of bioheaps, and improvements in stirred tank reactor design and operation. Concurrently, knowledge of the key microorganisms involved in these processes has advanced, aided by advances in molecular biology to characterize microbial populations.
Keywords
Uranium; Bioleaching; Bacteria; Fungi;
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