Environmental impact of metal mining—biotechnological aspects of water pollution and remediation—an Indian experience

The role of chemolithotrophs such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in the generation of acid rock drainage from abandoned sulfidic mines and tailing dumps is discussed. Case studies with respect to an Indian copper mine and mill tailings are illustrated. Acid production potentials of mined sulfide ores and tailings in the presence of A. ferrooxidans are established and it is shown that calcareous gangue effectively neutralized bacterial acid generation. The role of sulfate reducing bacteria in the remediation of acid rock drainage is brought out.