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For many years, research on the microbial-dissolution of metals from ores or waste materials mainly focussed on the study of acidophilic organisms. However, most acidophilic bioleaching microorganisms have limited tolerance to high chloride concentrations, thereby requiring fresh water for bioleaching operations. There is a growing interest in the use of seawater for leaching purposes, especially in regions with less access to fresh water. Consequently, there is a need to find halophilic organisms with bioleaching potentials. This study investigated the bioleaching potentials of four moderately halophilic sulphur-oxidising bacteria: Thiomicrospira cyclica, Thiohalobacter thiocyanaticus, Thioclava electrotropha and Thioclava pacifica. Results revealed T. electrotropha and T. pacifica as the most promising for bioleaching. Pure cultures of the two Thioclava strains liberated about 30% Co, and between 8–17% Cu, Pb, Zn, K, Cd, and Mn from a mine waste rock sample from the Neves Corvo mine, Portugal. Microwave roasting of the waste rock at 400 and 500 °C improved the bioleaching efficiency of T. electrotropha for Pb (13.7 to 45.7%), Ag (5.3 to 36%) and In (0 to 27.4%). Mineralogical analysis of the bioleached residues using SEM/MLA-GXMAP showed no major difference in the mineral compositions before or after bioleaching by the Thioclava spp. Generally, the bioleaching rates of the Thioclava spp. are quite low compared to that of the conventional acidophilic bioleaching bacteria. Nevertheless, their ability to liberate potential pollutants (metal(loid)s) into solution from mine waste raises environmental concerns. This is due to their relevance in the biogeochemistry of mine waste dumps, as similar neutrophile halophilic sulphur-oxidising organisms (e.g., Halothiobacillus spp.) have been isolated from mine wastes. On the other hand, the use of competent halophilic microorganisms could be the future of bioleaching due to their high tolerance to Cl- ions and their potential to catalyse mineral dissolution in seawater media, instead of fresh water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mine waste can constitute an environmental hazard, especially when poorly managed. Environmental assessment is essential for estimating potential threats and optimizing mine waste management. This study evaluated the potential environmental risk of sulfidic mine waste samples originating from the Neves Corvo Mine, Portugal, and the closed Freiberg mining district, Germany. Metal(loid)s in the waste samples were partitioned into seven operationally defined fractions using the Zeien and Brummer sequential extraction scheme. The results showed similar partitioning patterns for the elements in the waste rock and tailing samples from Neves Corvo Mine; most metal(loid)s showed lower mobility, as they were mainly residual-bound. On the contrary, the Freiberg tailing sample had considerably elevated (24–37%) mobile fractions of Zn, Co, Cd, and Mn. The majority of Fe (83–96%) in all samples was retained in the residual fractions, while Ca was highly mobile. Overall, Pb was the most mobile toxic element in the three samples. A large portion of Pb (32–57%) was predominantly found in the most mobilizable fractions of the studied waste samples. This study revealed that the three mine wastes have contamination potential for Pb and Zn, which can be easily released into the environment from these waste sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bioleaching is an important technique for the reprocessing of sulfidic mine wastes. • Acidophilic microbial consortium can simultaneously recover both valuable and hazardous elements from pyrite-rich waste rock and tailings. • XRD and SEM/MLA reveal mineralogical transformations after microbial-leaching. • Jarosite was the main secondary mineral formed after bioleaching. • Potential for revenue generation and environmental risk reduction at the Neves Corvo mine, Portugal. Sulfidic mine waste usually contains elevated amounts of valuable and hazardous metal(loid)s, which may pose environmental risks but can also provide opportunities for resource recovery. Reprocessing of mine waste can offer both economic and environmental benefits by supplying some of the ever-growing global demand for valuable metals, as well as reducing environmental risks. The present study aimed to simultaneously recover both valuable and hazardous metal(loid)s from two sulfidic mine waste samples (waste rock (NC_01) and tailings (NC_02)) from the Neves Corvo mine, Portugal, using a novel acidophilic consortium dominated by iron-oxidizing Leptospirillum genus and Acidiphilium sp. Bioleaching results showed that over 70% of the total Zn, Co, In, As, and Cd contents of NC_01 and NC_02 were leached within 21 days, while 55%–62% Mn was leached. Copper behaved in a refractory manner, as only 33% and 21% Cu were leached from NC_01 and NC_02, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope-based automated image analyses (SEM/MLA-GXMAP) of the bioleached residues revealed an almost complete absence of residual pyrite in NC_01 and a reduction of pyrite in NC-02, as well as the formation of secondary minerals, especially jarosite. In most cases, the biogenic jarosite co-precipitated some of the leached elements again, e.g., Cu and Pb. In conclusion, a synchronized method for bioleaching valuable and hazardous metal(loid)s was developed using a novel acidophilic consortium, thereby demonstrating the potential for the generation of economic value and environmental risk reduction for sulfidic mine waste samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]