Biotechnological extraction of secondary minerals from mine water

Challenge the practice is addressing: Capacity requirements

Concrete practice to achieve the expected goal: Removal of iron from mine waters by a microbial process for the treatment of lignite mine water with high concentrations of sulphate and iron using naturally occurring microorganisms. As a result of the microbial oxidation process the mineral schwertmannite (an iron‐oxyhydroxysulphate) precipitates as a solid compound. The schwertmannite can be used e.g. in ceramics production. Further sulphate is partly removed from the mine water together with the schwertmannite, which replaces lime in the further treatment of the acid mine water.

Expected impact/goal of the practice: Technical solution: Given. Selection of microorganisms, design and process control parameters need to be adapted to other similar cases. Innovation process: Example for how public funding in combination with effort by industrial partners can provide a solution

Who is the target user group of the practice/intervention or implementing the practice/intervention? This practice is for companies in the extractive industry.