Abstract
Biotechnology has emerged as a promising alternative to existing minerals processing methods, offering potential advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability. One area where microorganisms have shown significant promise is in the leaching of metals from medium and low-grade sulphide minerals thanks to the metabolites they produce. Extensive research has been conducted on the utilization of microorganisms for mineral beneficiation, with a specific focus on Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the application of A. ferrooxidans in bio-oxidation and biohydrometallurgy, highlighting its potential to replace inorganic reagents in the flotation of precious metals (PGMs) that are associated with sulphide ores.