Microbial Approach for Valorization of Mining Wastes and Tailings: An Overview

Mining is one of the most important economic activities on Earth and has played an important role in human existence. Minerals and metals are crucial for a large number of services and infrastructures that are used by society. However, extensive mining and industrial activities have led to production of large volumes of wastes and management of these materials, such as tailings and waste rock which is an environmental challenge. Moreover, the growing worldwide demand for ores has made developing processes for economic recovery from secondary sources increasingly important. In this scenario, the development of environmentally friendly technologies for valorizing mining wastes is mandatory. This chapter thus intends to provide a current overview of an alternative and green approach for valorization of mining waste and tailings by microbial means, that is, biomining.