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Master theses / Diploma theses

Bioleaching of metals from sulfidic mine waste (Id 326)

No current offer!

Mine waste is one of the major waste streams in the EU. An estimated 633 Mtonne of extractive waste is generated per year in the EU and is mainly stored in dumps or tailing ponds. Poor management of mine waste can lead to significant environmental hazards such as acid mine drainage. Reprocessing of mine waste could reduce environmental risks and recover valuable raw materials. Bioleaching is an environmentally friendly technique that uses biological systems (such as microorganisms) to expedite the extraction and recovery of metals from ores and/or waste materials.
The aim of this project is to extract valuable and hazardous elements from sulfidic mine waste, using various bacterial strains (including acidophilic bacteria and marine sulfur-oxidizing bacteria). The mine wastes that will be studied are tailings and waste rock samples from three mines in Europe (Germany, Belgium, and Portugal).

Institute: Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology

Contact: Opara, Chiamaka Belsonia, Dr. Kutschke, Sabine, Dr. Pollmann, Katrin

Requirements

  • Field of study: Microbiology, Biotechnology or related disciplines
  • Experience with Microbiology practical laboratory work
  • Good oral and written communication skills in English
  • Organised, accurate and independent working style
  • Experience with microbial cell culturing
  • Motivation and interest in bioleaching and general microbiology

Conditions

  • working in an international team
  • start: April 2022 or as soon as possible
  • duration: minimum of 6 months
  • location: Dresden-Rossendorf