Abstract: Disclosed is a biological process for recovering plutonium from soils using an iron-reducing bacterium, Bacillus circulans NRRL B-21037. A process for obtaining such bacteria is disclosed. The invention process gives upwards of about 88% yield of plutonium from soils. Further, pertinent gene(s) encoding enzymes obtainable from iron-reducing microbes can be used by placing such gene(s) on a suitable vector and transforming a competent host. The transformed host then can be used in the same manner as the native bacterium.

Abstract: Materials and methods for the enhancement of the biooxidative acid leaching of heavy metals from sulfide ore are disclosed and claimed. The enhancement of bioleach solutions with a nutrient supplement selective for a particular sulfide oxidizing strain of bacteria significantly increases copper solubilization of chalcopyrite ore. Likewise, copper solubilization is enhanced by enriching bioleach solutions with a non-selective growth mediums.

Abstract: Disclosed is an efficient biological process for recovering silver and manganese from refractory manganiferous silver ore. The process utilizes manganese reducing Bacillus sp. Specifically exemplified is a novel microbe designated Bacillus MBX 69, or mutants thereol Further, gene(s) encoding the enzyme(s) obtainable from the said bacteria can be used by placing such gene(s) on a suitable vector and transforming a competent host. The transformed host then can be used to recover silver and manganese from refractory manganiferous silver ore.

Abstract: Disclosed is an efficient biological process for recovering heavy metals from refractory ore, and a process for removing heavy metal contaminants from the soil. The process utilizes a potato extract growth medium (PEGM) to greatly increase the efficiency for recovering heavy metals from ores and for removing heavy metal contaminants from soil. Microbes which can be used in the process are manganese reducing Bacillus sp., or mutants thereof which retain the metal recovering properties of the parent microbe. Further, recombinant microbes, as disclosed herein, can be used in the same manner as the native microbe.

Abstract: Disclosed is an efficient biological process for recovering heavy metals from refractory manganiferous ore, and a process for removing heavy metal contaminants from the soil. The process utilizes manganese reducing Bacillus sp. Specifically exemplified is a novel microbe designated Bacillus MBX 69, or mutants thereof, and the known microbe Bacillus polymyxa, which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,130. Further, gene(s) encoding the enzyme(s) obtainable from the said bacteria can be used by placing such gene(s) on a suitable vector and transforming a competent host. The transformed host then can be used in the same manner as the native microbe. Also, the enzyme(s) themselves can be used in the above-described processes.