Reductive bioleaching of goethite-rich and hematite-rich iron tailings by anaerobic organisms.
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| Title: | Reductive bioleaching of goethite-rich and hematite-rich iron tailings by anaerobic organisms. |
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| Authors: | Borkar, Palas Kamlakar1 pkborkar@mtu.edu, Sharma, Neha1, Boafo, Kwabena1, Amponsah-Berko, Daniel1, Eisele, Timothy1 |
| Source: | Mining Engineering. Mar2026, Vol. 78 Issue 3, p38-40. 3p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Goethite, *Hematite, *Anaerobic microorganisms, *Bacterial leaching, *Ores, *Biochemical substrates, *Iron mining, *Iron ores |
| Abstract: | Iron extraction from low-grade ores and tailings is increasingly constrained by high energy consumption and production costs. This study demonstrates that reductive bioleaching, driven by anaerobic iron-reducing microorganisms and biomass-derived organic substrates, can effectively dissolve iron from both goethite-rich and hematite-rich iron tailings under mild conditions. While goethite dissolves more rapidly, prolonged microbial activity enables sustained dissolution of hematite, a mineral traditionally considered refractory to bioleaching. These findings highlight the potential of biologically mediated iron recovery as a low-energy, environmentally responsible alternative for upgrading iron tailings and low-grade resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Database: | Energy & Power Source |
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