Bioremediation

The use of living microorganisms, plants, or biological processes to degrade, transform, or immobilise contaminants in soil, sediment, or water at mine sites. Bioremediation applications in mining include treatment of acid mine drainage using sulphate-reducing bacteria, phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils, and microbial degradation of cyanide in gold mine tailings. Bioremediation offers a cost-effective, environmentally sensitive alternative to physical or chemical remediation for suitable contaminants and site conditions.