Overview of fungal bioleaching of metals
Leonce Dusengemungu, George Kasali, Cousins Gwanama, Benjamin Mubemba
Abstract
This article has reviewed the progress that has been made in bioleaching research of metals using filamentous fungi. This review has focused on fungal bioleaching from various metal sources, including mine tailings, electronic waste, solid mine wastes, spent catalysts, and low-grade ores. Filamentous fungi are used in bioleaching due to their ability to secrete organic acids and facilitate the solubilization of metal ions from the solution phase. The information provided in this review shows that fungal species under different specific operating parameters (pH, temperature, substrate, incubation time) can be used in the recovery of essential metals. Several drawbacks that lie in fungal bioleaching have been listed in this review. However, we have put forward suggestions that might help counter these challenges and invigorate interest in this research line. The present review examines the gaps and summarizes the fundamental mechanisms of fungal bioleaching. Furthermore, fungal species' practical potentiality for the future development of enhanced bioleaching technology applications is underlined.