Abstract

Cobalt, crucial for lithium-ion batteries and various other industries, experiences increasing global demand, notably for electromobility. Chile’s copper production offers a chance to produce cobalt as a by-product, complementing its lithium and cobalt mining sectors, pivotal for the transition to clean energy technologies. Bioleaching, utilizing microorganisms for metal extraction, shows potential for cobalt production, supported by Chile’s expertise in sustainable technology R&D, particularly in copper bioleaching. This project, led by researchers with profound experience in bioleaching and geology, the first bioleaching results at flask level are presented using a native consortium of thermotolerant microbes, adapted to operate at on-field conditions using a cobaltiferous pyrite enriched tailing extracted from the north of Chile. Two microbial consortia were isolated and selected at 30 and 45 °C for its astonishing capacity oxidizing iron and sulfur, the main ability for dissolving pyrite (FeS2), the principal bearing ore containing cobalt. Genomic characterization of both consortia is undergoing. The four-year project aims to scale up bioleaching processes, focusing on reprocessing cobalt-rich tailings from copper mines in the Atacama and Coquimbo regions, particularly those of the iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) type. Beyond extracting value from tailings, the project carries significant environmental benefits by intercepting pyrite early in the process, it mitigates the environmental threat of acid mine drainage (AMD). Preventing AMD not only safeguards water resources and agricultural land from contamination but also mitigates risks associated with tailings dam destabilization. The project not only promises economic gains but also underscores Chile’s commitment to sustainable resource management and environmental stewardship.