Biogenic Production of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles from Mining Tailings: A Sustainable Approach to Magnetic Materials

Abstract

Mining tailings are considered a significant environmental challenge due to their large quantities and high residual metal content, particularly iron. Recent developments in biogenic technologies offer a sustainable approach to recovering valuable materials from these waste streams. We consider a biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles production process from mining tailings as an environmentally friendly route to magnetic materials. Microorganisms, including iron-oxidizing and iron-reducing bacteria, microalgae, and fungi, can convert soluble and mineral-bound iron into iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) phases such as magnetite, maghemite, and hematite. These biogenic iron oxide NPs often exhibit specific physicochemical properties, including controlled particle size, high surface area, and engineered magnetic properties, which make them potentially important for applications in environmental remediation, catalysis, and agriculture. The processes behind microbial iron conversion, the parameters governing mineral phase formation, and the approaches for optimizing the process are presented. This strategy supports the circular economy concept by combining biogenic synthesis with various forms of mining waste, thereby reducing environmental threats associated with tailings confinement and providing an environmentally friendly mechanism for the production of value-added magnetic materials.