Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Works, Navoi, Republic of Uzbekistan:

К. Sanakulov, General Director, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, e-mail: info@ngmk.uz

Navoi State Mining Institute, Navoi, Republic of Uzbekistan:
I. Tagaev, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical Technology, PhD (Agriculture), e-mail: info@ndki.uz

Around 2 bln tons of mineralized mass containing ~0.3 g Au/t have accumulated in the dumps of the Muruntau gold deposit since the start of the mining operations. Today, that mineral mining waste is considered man- made ores, which can be cost-effectively processed to recover valuable components. The paper considers one of the innovative technologies in the processing of mineral and man-made materials containing gold, silver and a number of non-ferrous metals, and namely biotechnologies that help enhance the utilization of raw materials while ensuring efficient environmental protection. The paper looks at the problem of interaction between various types of microorganisms and rock-forming, accessory and ore minerals contained in mineral raw materials and man-made wastes. An important problem is to understand the mechanism behind mineral decomposition triggered by microorganism wastes. The authors looked at the decomposition of toxic cyanide and thiocyanide wastes triggered by the microorganisms contained in the tailings. New types of waste materials generated by food and drug industries are proposed as new biosorbents. It is shown that through studying the mechanisms behind biodecomposition of cyanides followed by leaching of precious metals one will be able to create a new process that would combine neutralization of man-made wastes with recovery of valuable components.

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