Microbiology for Minerals, Metals, Materials and the Environment links chemical, metallurgical, and other metal inherent systems with microbes, and analyzes the interdependence between them. Specifically intended to underscore the importance of microbes in environmental remediation in the mining industries, this text offers a basic and conceptual understanding of the role of microbes, and provides an extensive exploration of microbiology and metals. Each chapter is written by experts from research, industry and academia. The authors expand on the whole scale of microbiology applications relevant to minerals, metal, material, and environment. They elicit the applications of microbes for metal extraction (including mechanisms and methods) from primary ores/minerals and mining wastes, biomining and related concepts of microbial diversity and various operations, and molecular biology of microbes involved in such systems (extremophiles). They also address in detail biohydrometallurgy, biomineralisation, bioleaching, biobeneficiation, biosynthesis, and bioremediation and other related areas.

This book:

• Includes bacterial leaching, hybrid leaching, and biosynthesis related to different metals
• Covers recent developments in alternative procedures with the use of extremophiles and leaching bacteria
• Explains the imperative importance of bacteria in minerals and metals sector
• Addresses microbial interventions for waste cleanup and upgradation of minerals
• Compares existing processes with the new ones to elicit their importance
• Provides case studies on all respective topics by eminent researchers

A resource for researchers, graduate students, and industry professionals involved in chemical/mining/metallurgical engineering/environmental science/microbiology, Microbiology for Minerals, Metals, Materials and the Environment skillfully explains the symbiotic relationship between microbiology and minerals-metals-materials, and utilizes experts from across the globe.