Perspectivas para el uso de biotecnología, aplicada a la industria metalúrgica como alternativa a los métodos convencionales.

Abstract

In the present bibliographic investigation, the possible alternatives to the conventional processes of extraction of metallic minerals were analyzed, due to the high levels of contamination that these generate. The use of a group of microorganisms under a biotechnological approach in the productive mining sector, is presented as an economic and viable alternative to convert an activity that generates a strong environmental impact into an economically profitable and sustainable activity. This is possible thanks to its ability to aid in the recovery or removal of metals from minerals and its contribution to the solubilization of metal sulfides. The most well-known bacterial communities used in biomining processes are the chemolithoautotrophs, acidophilic, they correspond to, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans. New technologies such as bioleaching and biooxidation are of significant interest, as they present various advantages over traditional leaching techniques.