Current Trends in Metal Biomining with a Focus on Genomics Aspects and Attention to Arsenopyrite Leaching—A Review

Abstract

The presented review is based on scientific microbiological articles and patents in the field of biomining valuable metals. The main attention is paid to publications of the last two decades, which illustrate some shifts in objects of interest and modern trends both in general and applied microbiology. The review demonstrates that microbial bioleaching continues to develop actively, despite various problems in its industrial application. The previous classic trends in the microbial bioleaching persist and remain unchanged, including (i) the search for and selection of new effective species and strains and (ii) technical optimization of the bioleaching process. Moreover, new trends were formed during the last decades with an emphasis on the phylogeny of leaching microbiota and on genomes of the leaching microorganisms. This area of genomics provides new, interesting information and forms a basis for the subsequent construction of new leaching strains. For example, this review mentions some changed strains with increased resistance to toxic compounds. Additionally, the review considers some problems of bioleaching valuable metals from toxic arsenopyrite.