Improving bioremediation strategies for environmental mining liabilities in the high Andes: shedding light on the role of metal sequestering bacterial consortia

Summary

This project tackles the issue of environmental mining liabilities (EMLs) in Peru by developing bioremediation packages for the treatment of acid mine drainage and phytostabilization of mine tailings. For this, a full understanding will be constructed about the identity and roles of major groups of bacteria that have proven to promote iron oxidation and sulphate reduction, which improves metal quenching and water pH. In constructed wetlands in Ancash and Cerro de Pasco, the performance and effectiveness of bioremediation processes will be tested under a unique cocktail of extreme pollution and environmental conditions in the high Andes, as well as packing and scaling-up tailor-made remediation strategies.
Research activities will be complemented with the development of educational and training programs for training the future problem solvers, and the reinforcement of the CicloMin’s functional network with actors from the government, companies, local universities and communities.

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