A Review on Lithium Bioleaching from Solid Resources

Naderi, Ali; Mousavi, Seyyed Mohammad

A Review on Lithium Bioleaching from Solid Resources

Authors

A. Naderi

S. M. Mousavi

Biotechnology Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Abstract

Research subject:
Bioleaching of lithium has emerged as an innovative and sustainable approach for extracting this valuable metal from solid sources, including mineral ores, spent lithium-ion batteries, and other electronic waste. The increasing global demand for lithium-ion batteries, especially for consumer electronics and electric vehicles, has intensified the need for efficient lithium resource recovery. Given the environmental and economic challenges associated with traditional extraction methods, bioleaching has been proposed as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative.

Research approach:

This study provides a comprehensive review of the scientific literature and research on lithium bioleaching. It begins with an overview of lithium resources and applications, followed by an evaluation of studies on the bioleaching of lithium-ion batteries and other solid sources. The mechanisms involved and commonly used microorganisms are analyzed. Additionally, key parameters influencing metal recovery efficiency—such as pH, temperature, medium composition, pulp density, and leaching time—are investigated. The study also explores innovative approaches, including the use of artificial intelligence, systems biology, and synthetic biology, to optimize bioleaching processes.

Main results:

The findings demonstrate that bioleaching not only achieves efficient lithium recovery from solid sources but also significantly reduces environmental hazards. Spent lithium-ion batteries are identified as a rich and valuable source for lithium extraction. The use of microorganisms such as Aspergillus niger and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans has achieved lithium recovery rates of up to 100%. Studies indicate that optimizing microbial strains through synthetic and systems biology, along with refining cultivation conditions using modern AI-based techniques, can address industrial challenges in bioleaching. Furthermore, this research highlights the role of bioleaching in promoting a circular economy and presents a promising outlook for its industrial application in sustainable lithium resource recovery.

Keywords

lithium

Bioleaching

lithium-ion batteries

solid resources

Microorganisms

Subjects

bioleaching

[1] Alashur M., Advancements in Lithium-Ion Battery Technology, International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 9(9), 984-985, 2024.
[2] Panda M., Dembele S., Mishra S., Akcil A., Agcasulu I., Hazrati E., Tuncuk A., Malavasi P. and Gaydardzhiev S., Small-scale and scale-up bioleaching of Li, Co, Ni and Mn from spent lithium-ion batteries, Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 99: 1069-1082, 2024.
[3] Zanoletti A., Carena E., Ferrara C. and Bontempi E., A Review of Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling: Technologies, Sustainability, and Open Issues, Batteries, 10(1):38, 2024.
[4] Gao T., Fan N., Chen W. and Dai T., Lithium extraction from hard rock lithium ores (spodumene, lepidolite, zinnwaldite, petalite): Technology, resources, environment and cost, China Geology, 137−153, 2023.
[5] Cerrillo-Gonzalez M., Villen-Guzman M., Vereda-Alonso C., Rodriguez-Maroto J. and Paz-Garcia J., Towards Sustainable Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling: Advancements in Circular Hydrometallurgy, Processes, 12(7), 1485, 2024.
[6] Alipanah M., Reed D., Thompson V., Fujita Y. and Jin H., Sustainable bioleaching of lithium-ion batteries for critical materials recovery, Journal of Cleaner Production, 382, 2023.
[7] Li J., Zhang H., Wang H. and Zhang B., Research progress on bioleaching recovery technology of spent lithium-ion batteries, Environmental Research, 238, 2023.
[8] Inaba T., Su T., Aoyagi T., Aizawa H., Sato Y., Suh C., Lee J.H., Hori T., Ogata A. and Habe H., Microbial community in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor and its performance in treating organic solid waste under controlled and deteriorated conditions, Journal of Environmental Management, 269:110786, 2020.
[9] Vakilchap F. and Mousavi S.M., Exploring the untapped practices in bacterial-fungal mixed-based cultures for acidic treatment of metal-enriched printed circuit board waste, Waste Management, 179:245–61, 2024.
[10] Naderi A., Vakilchap F., Motamedian E. and Mousavi S.M., Regulatory-systemic approach in Aspergillus niger for bioleaching improvement by controlling precipitation, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 107, 7331–7346, 2023.
[11] Saldaña M., Jeldres M., Galleguillos-Madrid F.M., Gallegos S., Salazar I., Robles P. and Toro N., Bioleaching Modeling—A Review, Materials, 18;16(10):3812, 2023.
[12] Giachino A., Focarelli F., Marles-Wright J. and Waldron K.J., Synthetic biology approaches to copper remediation: bioleaching, accumulation and recycling, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 4;97(2), 2020.
[13] Chandakhiaw T., Teaumroong N., Piromyou P., Songwattana P., Tanthanuch W., Tancharakorn S. and Khumkoa S., Efficiency of Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. for bioleaching lithium cobalt oxide from battery wastes in potato dextrose broth and sucrose medium, Results in Engineering, 24, 2024.
[14] Xin Y., Guo X., Chen S., Wang J., Wu F. and Xin B., Bioleaching of valuable metals Li, Co, Ni and Mn from spent electric vehicle Li-ion batteries for the purpose of recovery, Journal of Cleaner Production, 116, 2016.
[15] Priyadarsini S. and Das A., Lithium bioleaching: A review on microbial-assisted sustainable technology for lithium bio-circularity, Journal of Water Process Engineering, 69, 2025.
[16] Naseri T. and Mousavi S.M., Improvement of Li and Mn bioleaching from spent lithium-ion
batteries, using step-wise addition of biogenic sulfuric acid by Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, Heliyon, 10, 2024.
[17] Arshad F., Lin J., Manurkar N., Fan E., Ahmad A., Tariq M., Wu F., Chen R. and Li L., Life Cycle Assessment of Lithium-ion Batteries: A Critical Review, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 180, 2022.
[18] Bahaloo-Horeh N., Mousavi S.M. and Baniasadi M., Use of adapted metal tolerant Aspergillus niger to enhance bioleaching efficiency of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion mobile phone batteries, Journal of Cleaner Production, 197:1546–57, 2018.
[19] Boxall N.J., Cheng K.Y., Bruckard W. and Kaksonen A.H., Application of indirect non-contact bioleaching for extracting metals from waste lithium-ion batteries, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 360:504–11, 2018.
[20] Lalropuia L., Kucera J., Rassy W.Y., Pakostova E., Schild D., Mandl M., Kremser K. and Guebitz G.M., Metal recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries via two-step bioleaching using adapted chemolithotrophs from an acidic mine pit lake. Frontiers in Microbiology, 30;15, 2024.
[21] Ghassa S., Farzanegan A., Gharabaghi M. and Abdollahi H., Novel bioleaching of waste lithium ion batteries by mixed moderate thermophilic microorganisms, using iron scrap as energy source and reducing agent, Hydrometallurgy, 197:105465, 2020.
[22] Alhaqie A.D., Damay D.M. and Haidar M.T., Advanced Recycling and Recovery of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries with Bioleaching Processes using A. ferrooxidans to Achieve Cleaner Battery Production, Journal of Batteries for Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicles, 20;1(02):76–81, 2023.
[23] Roy J.J, Madhavi S. and Cao B., Metal extraction from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) at high pulp density by environmentally friendly bioleaching process, Journal of Cleaner Production, 280:124242, 2021.
[24] Lobos A., Harwood V.J., Scott K.M. and Cunningham J.A., Tolerance of three fungal species to lithium and cobalt: Implications for bioleaching of spent rechargeable Li‐ion batteries, Journal of Applied Microbiology, 9;131(2):743–55, 2021.
[25] Liao X., Ye M., Liang J., Guan Z., Li S., Deng Y., Gan Q., Liu Z., Fang X. and Sun S., Feasibility of reduced iron species for promoting Li and Co recovery from spent LiCoO2 batteries using a mixed-culture bioleaching process, Science of The Total Environment, 830:154577, 2022.
[26] Liu Z., Liao X., Zhang Y., Li S., Ye M., Gan Q., Fang X., Mo Z., Huang Y., Liang Z., Dai W. and Sun S., A highly efficient process to enhance the bioleaching of spent lithium-ion batteries by bifunctional pyrite combined with elemental sulfur, Journal of Environmental Management, 351:119954, 2024.
[27] Kim J., Nwe H.H. and Yoon C.S., Enhanced bioleaching of spent Li-ion batteries using A. ferrooxidans by application of external magnetic field, Journal of Environmental Management, 367:122012, 2024.
[28] Bahaloo-Horeh N., Mousavi S.M. and Shojaosadati S.A., Bioleaching of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion mobile phone batteries using Aspergillus niger, Journal of Power Sources, 320:257–66, 2016.
[29] Alipanah M., Jin H., Zhou Q., Barboza C., Gazzo D., Thompson V., Fujita Y., Liu J., Anderko A. and Reed D., Sustainable bioleaching of lithium-ion batteries for critical metal recovery: Process optimization through design of experiments and thermodynamic modeling, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 199:107293, 2023.
[30] Roy J.J, Tang E.J.J., Do M.P., Cao B. and Srinivasan M., Closed-Loop Graphite Recycling from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries through Bioleaching, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 17;11(17):6567–77, 2023.
[31] Nazerian M., Bahaloo-Horeh N. and Mousavi S.M., Enhanced bioleaching of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries using ultrasonic treatment, Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, 10;40(3):584–93, 2023.
[32] Marcincakova R., Kadukova J. and Mrazikova A., Bioleaching of Lithium from Lepidolite by the Mixture of Rhodotorula Rubra and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Journal of the Polish Mineral Engineering Society, 367:122012, 2015.
[33] Marcincakova R., Kadukova J., Mražíková A., Velgosová O. and Vojtko M., Lithium Bioleaching from Lepidolite Using the Yeast Rhodotorula Rubra, Journal of the Polish Mineral Engineering Society, 16, 2015.
[34] Kirk R.D., Newsome L., Falagan C. and Hudson-Edwards K.A., Bioleaching of lithium from jadarite, spodumene, and lepidolite using Acidiothiobacillus ferrooxidans, Frontiers in Microbiology, 13;15, 2024.
[35] Kadukova J., Marcincakova R., Luptakova A., Vojtko M., Fujda M. and Pristas P., Lithium Comparison of three different bioleaching systems for Li recovery from lepidolite, Scientific Reports, 10, 2020.
[36] Biswal B.K. and Balasubramanian R., Recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries using microbial agents for bioleaching: a review, Frontiers in Microbiology, 14, 2023.
[37] Moazzam P., Boroumand Y., Rabiei P., Baghbaderani S.S., Mokarian P., Mohagheghian F., Mohammed L.J. and Razmjou A., Lithium bioleaching: An emerging approach for the recovery of Li
from spent lithium ion batteries, Chemosphere, 277, 2021.
[38] Niu Z., Zou Y., Xin B., Chen S., Liu C. and Li Y., Process controls for improving bioleaching performance of both Li and Co from spent lithium ion batteries at high pulp density and its thermodynamics and kinetics exploration, Chemosphere, 109:92–8, 2014.
[39] Mishra D., Kim D.J., Ralph D.E., Ahn J.G. and Rhee Y.H., Bioleaching of metals from spent lithium ion secondary batteries using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Waste Management, 28(2):333–8, 2008.
[40] Gericke M., Govender Y. and Pinches A., Tank bioleaching of low-grade chalcopyrite concentrates using redox control, Hydrometallurgy, 104(3–4):414–9, 2010.
[41] Buetti-Dinh A., Galli V., Bellenberg S., Ilie O., Herold M., Christel S., Boretska M., V.Pivkin I., Wilmes P., Sand W., Vera M. and Dopson M., Deep neural networks outperform human expert’s capacity in characterizing bioleaching bacterial biofilm composition, Biotechnology Reports, 22:e00321, 2019.
[42] Pons V.J., Comerma A., Escobet T., Dorado A.D. and Tarrés-Puertas MI., Optimizing Bioleaching for Printed Circuit Board Copper Recovery: An AI-Driven RGB-Based Approach, Applied Sciences, 27;15(1):129, 2024.
[43] Trivedi A. and Hait S., Fungal bioleaching of metals from WPCBs of mobile phones employing mixed Aspergillus spp.: Optimization and predictive modelling by RSM and AI models, Journal of Environmental Management, 349:119565, 2024.
[44] Trivedi A. and Hait S., Metal bioleaching from printed circuit boards by bio-Fenton process: Optimization and prediction by response surface methodology and artificial intelligence models, Journal of Environmental Management, 326:116797, 2023.
[45] Ruhatiya C., Gandra R., Kondaiah P., Manivas K., Samhith A., Gao L., Lam J.S.L. and Garg A., Intelligent optimization of bioleaching process for waste lithium‐ion batteries: An application of support vector regression approach, International Journal of Energy Research, 25;45(4):6152–62, 2020.
[46] Mokarian P., Bakhshayeshi I., Taghikhah F., Boroumand Y., Erfani E. and Razmjou A., The advanced design of bioleaching process for metal recovery: A machine learning approach, Separation and Purification Technology, 291:120919, 2022.
[47] Vyas S., Das S. and Ting Y.P., Predictive modeling and response analysis of spent catalyst bioleaching using artificial neural network, Bioresource Technology Reports, 9:100389, 2020.
[48] Zhang Z., Zhang X., Zhang D., Zhang X., Qiu F., Li W., Liu Z., Shu J. and Tang C., Application of Machine Learning in a Mineral Leaching Process─Taking Pyrolusite Leaching as an Example, ACS Omega, 14;7(51):48130–8, 2022.
[49] Capeness M.J. and Horsfall L.E., Synthetic biology approaches towards the recycling of metals from the environment, Biochemical Society Transactions, 6;48(4):1367–78, 2020.
[50] Brar K.K., Magdouli S., Etteieb S., Zolfaghari M., Fathollahzadeh H., Calugaru L., Komtchou S.P., Tanabene R. and Brar S.K, Integrated bioleaching-electrometallurgy for copper recovery - A critical review, Journal of Cleaner Production, 291:125257, 2021.
[51] Aminian-Dehkordi J., Mousavi S.M., Marashi S.A., Jafari A. and Mijakovic I., A Systems-Based Approach for Cyanide Overproduction by Bacillus megaterium for Gold Bioleaching Enhancement, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 3;8, 2020.
[52] Vera M., Schippers A., Hedrich S. and Sand W., Progress in bioleaching: fundamentals and mechanisms of microbial metal sulfide oxidation – part A, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 4;106(21):6933–52, 2022.
[53] Zhang L., Dong H., Liu Y., Bian L., Wang X., Zhou Z. and Huang Y., Bioleaching of rare earth elements from bastnaesite-bearing rock by actinobacteria, Chemical Geology, 483:544–57, 2018.
[54] Ferronato N. and Torretta V., Waste Mismanagement in Developing Countries: A Review of Global Issues, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 24;16(6):1060, 2019.
[55] Marra A., Cesaro A., Rene E.R., Belgiorno V. and Lens P.N.L., Bioleaching of metals from WEEE shredding dust, Journal of Environmental Management, 210:180–90, 2018.
[56] Baniasadi M., Vakilchap F., Bahaloo-Horeh N., Mousavi S.M. and Farnaud S., Advances in bioleaching as a sustainable method for metal recovery from e-waste: A review, Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 76:75–90, 2019.
[57] Hu W., Feng S., Tong Y., Zhang H. and Yang H., Adaptive defensive mechanism of bioleaching microorganisms under extremely environmental acid stress: Advances and perspectives, Biotechnology Advances, 42:107580, 2020.
[58] Yang L., Hu W., Chang Z., Liu T., Fang D., Shao P., Shi H. and Luo X., Electrochemical recovery and high value-added reutilization of heavy metal ions from wastewater: Recent advances and future trends, Environment International, 152:106512, 2021.