Biomining


Biomining is the scientific process of excavation, treatment, segregation and gainful utilization of aged municipal solid waste lying in dumpsites typically referred to as legacy waste.

Biomining is a process of treating garbage or waste with bio-organisms or natural elements like air and sunlight. Over time, the biodegradable component of the waste gets decomposed through the natural process, and the remaining part i.e. non-biodegradable material is then dealt separately. It extracts metals of economic interest from rock ores or mine waste.

Methods of biomining

  • Bioleaching
  • Bio-oxidation
  • Dump leaching
  • Agitated leaching

    • Importance of Biomining

    The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 now mandate bio-mine legacy waste instead of 'capping' which means covering the waste with soil. These rules focus on the segregation of waste at the source, the responsibility of the manufacturer to dispose of sanitary and packaging wastes, and user fees for collection, disposal and processing from the bulk generator.

    Benefits of Biomining

  • Biomining has many advantages including zero emissions and leaving near-zero residues, helping in reducing soil pollution, soil contamination and groundwater.
  • It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and no energy is required for the process. Further, the reclaimed land can be used for other development purposes.
  • Biomining is an eco-friendly method that allows us to recycle resources by extracting useful components from waste such as metal, compost in fertilizer etc.

    • Biomining of Dump-Sites

    Bio-mining is a process involving digging out previously dumped or disposed of material from landfill sites to recover plastic, metal, glass, combustibles, other fine material, and soil. Plastic, metals, and other material thus recovered will be sent for recycling. The biodegradable waste in a landfill site gets decomposed. When non-biodegradable materials in the same site are recovered and sent for recycling, the land under them can be reclaimed for further use.