Russian scientists have discovered a microorganism at the Talnakh deposit that could transform the way critical metals are extracted. The newly identified bacterium survives in highly acidic, high-temperature environments while breaking down mineral ores and releasing valuable metals. The discovery could make previously uneconomic ores a viable source of nickel, copper, and cobalt.
The new species has been named Acidithiobacillus sibiricus. Researchers found the microorganism directly within the ore body, where conditions resemble those inside a chemical reactor: extremely high acidity, exceptionally high metal concentrations, and temperatures reaching 43°C. While most known bacteria cannot survive under such conditions, this species not only thrives but also actively breaks down mineral compounds.
The process is relatively straightforward. The bacterium attacks the minerals that tightly bind metals within the rock. Once these minerals are degraded, nickel, copper, and cobalt can be extracted much more efficiently. The process resembles natural leaching but occurs in a controlled and accelerated manner.
The greatest commercial potential lies in processing low-grade ores. Today, many of these resources remain in waste dumps because conventional smelting is highly energy-intensive and produces significant sulfur dioxide emissions. Biohydrometallurgical methods offer an alternative by addressing both challenges. The bacteria can be deployed directly at mine sites through heap leaching or used in enclosed bioreactors.
The effectiveness of microbial extraction has already been demonstrated worldwide. Today, microorganisms are involved in the production of approximately 20% of the world’s copper. Acidithiobacillus sibiricus could extend the application of these technologies to more complex ore bodies that were previously considered uneconomic.
The discovery offers the prospect of turning low-grade mineral resources into commercially viable assets. Reduced energy consumption, lower emissions, and access to previously inaccessible metal resources are among the key advantages that microbial metallurgy could bring to operations such as Talnakh.
Source: Elsevier B.V.
Source: Elsevier B.V.
