Bioleaching of metals from secondary materials using glycolipid biosurfactants

With the global demand for economically important metals increasing, compounded by depletion of readily accessible ores, secondary resources and low-grade ores are being targeted to meet growing demands. Novel technologies developed within biobased industries, such as microbial biosurfactants, could be implemented improve sustainability traditional hydrometallurgy techniques. This study investigates newly biosurfactants (acidic- bolaform glycolipids) leaching (particularly Cu Zn) from a suite mine tailings, metallurgical sludges automotive shredder residues. Generally, acidic sophorolipids were most performant, optimal was observed fayalite slag (27%) copper sulfide tailing (53%). Further investigation leached material showed that occurring small metallic droplets in this via corrosion-based mechanism, and/or Cu-Pb sulfides, selective against dominant Fe-silicate matrix. highlights sophorolipid have potential leach Zn materials. It also provides fundamental insights into biosurfactant-metal mineral interactions currently unexplored. Together, convergence mining industries with bio-industries can recovery will positively impact bio- circular economies environment.