Column bioleaching of uranium embedded in granite porphyry by a mesophilic acidophilic consortium

► A mesophilic acidophilic consortium was enriched. ► The performance of the consortium and effects of chemical factors on uranium extraction in column reactor were investigated. ► A uranium recovery of 96.82% was achieved in 97 days. ► Indirect leaching mechanism took precedence over direct. ► Microorganisms on the ore surface were more diverse than that in the solution.