In situ recovery of uranium — the microbial influence

• 45% of uranium is mined by in situ recovery worldwide.
• Microorganisms play a significant role in the mobilization/immobilization of uranium.
• Microorganisms could be used to increase uranium in situ leaching and recovery rates, as well as be part of remediation strategies.

In situ recovery (ISR) has become an increasingly utilized technology worldwide for the economical extraction of uranium (U). Microorganisms play a significant role in U mobilization/immobilization and have therefore been used for the bioremediation of U contaminated sites. In natural environments a wide range of microorganisms has the ability to oxidize or reduce U compounds as part of their metabolism. Hence, microbiota is very likely to play an important role at all stages of U ISR; however the effect of resident microbial communities subject to ISR has not been investigated. Therefore, this review focuses on the interactions between microorganisms and U and the possible effects this could have on ISR operations. Microorganisms may affect ISR in either a positive or negative way, e.g. assisting in U mobilization via the oxidation of U or immobilizing U by reducing it into an insoluble form. The use of native microbial communities to influence the mobilization/immobilization of U during ISR could help to increase U recovery rates or speed-up post-mining remediation.

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