Bacteria Can Clean Up Mining Waste

 


Nathan van Wyk and his team have developed a new technology. They will someday turn mining operations into a zero waste facility. 

Magnesium and other metals in mine waste are solubilized and recovered using an acid-producing bacteria. This will greatly reduce environmental pollution and create raw materials for industrial uses.

Every year, 3 billion tons of metal are manufactured for use. With exploitation, the metal content of ores has decreased. This makes it more difficult to reach the metals, which in turn creates high metal prices and harmful waste.  The increased need for rare-earth elements generates a lot of mine waste, as they are found in low concentrations.

Mine waste is usually placed in large piles at a mine. Metals in the waste pile can reach the groundwater and windblown waste can also spread pollution. The waste is useful though, and Van Wyk has proved it.

He researched how the metals can be removed from the waste by using acids produced by bacteria. He studied mainly bauxite residues. Bauxite contains aluminum and it is used in its production. 

He also studied wastes that are the results of magnesium production. His research shows that acids removed close to 100% of the magnesium from waste. From the bauxite residues, he removed 42% yttrium, 59% titanium, 80% calcium and 68% aluminum. 

Van Wyk reports, “Acid dissolution of mine waste is a promising way to make use of valuable resources. It reduces the amount of waste, protects the environment, generates raw materials for industry and extends the life of all the mines. And also advances ‘green’ technology while providing jobs. There are many advantages to the application of this method, instead of just leaving the waste behind.”

The leftovers? Can be combined with cheap additives to create a quick curing concrete! Van Wyk summarizes, “ with the waste from our process, we can produce construction materials, like concrete. Our concrete doesn’t need to be calcinated during production,  as the energy is already spent. Over 7% of all energy used in industry globally is used for the production of concrete and cement. So by using this waste, we can achieve zero solid waste from magnesium mining and reduce global energy consumption, to a degree.” 

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