Bacterial mechanisms of gold mobilisation and precipitation with applications to mineral processing and exploration

开发金在环境中的生物地球化学行为的综合模型将有助于矿产勘探者解释现有的勘探数据，并制定更好的勘探战略。此外，该项目旨在通过识别可用作成矿生物标志物的生物和微生物基因序列，为新的地质微生物金矿勘探方法奠定基础。这项研究还将提供复制自然所需的基本信息，并利用澳大利亚土壤中自然存在的微生物设计新的具有成本效益和环境友好的黄金加工技术。

The development of a comprehensive model for the biogeochemical behaviour of gold in the environment will aid mineral explorers to interpret existing exploration data and to develop better exploration strategies. Moreover, this project aims to develop the basis for a new geomicrobiological gold exploration method by identifying organisms and microbial gene sequences that could be used as biomarkers for mineralisation. This research will also provide the fundamental information required to copy nature and engineer new cost-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies for gold processing using microorganisms that occur naturally in Australian soils.