Rehabilitating Mining Waste Sites in West Balkans to Source Metals for Plastics and Wood-Plastic Composites While Mitigating Environmental Pollution- A Case Study for the West Balkan Region
Gazaldeep Kaur
Senior Lecturer Chemistry, Government Senior Secondary School (Amritsar), Punjab, India
Dr. Vikramjit S. Rathee
Chief Scientific Officer, Nine Star Initiative, Delaware, USA.
Jeewanjot Singh
Head Pharmacist, Guru Teg Rasila Charitable hospital, Punjab, India
Dr. Nirmaljit K. Rathee
Professor & Director, Delaware State University, Delaware, USA.
Abstract
The incorporation of metal additives in plastics and wood-plastic composites (WPCs) can result in leaching and consequent environmental pollution [1,2]. Concomitantly, abandoned mining waste sites containing valuable metals in the West Balkans are causing severe contamination of land and water due to improper containment [3]. This study proposes the rehabilitation of said mining waste sites to extract metals through bioleaching to provide feedstock for the plastics and WPC industry, thereby mitigating fresh mining requirements and pollution. Metals including Fe, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, Al, and Pb are critical in plastics and WPCs as fillers, pigments, slipping agents, stabilizers, and flame retardants [1,4], however their improper disposal leads to ecological damage [2,5]. Acidophilic iron and sulfur oxidizing bacteria, such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, can effectively extract these metals from mining residues via bioleaching without high energy inputs [7–9]. Compared to conventional methods, bioleaching requires less energy, minimal chemicals, and lower capital costs. The recovered metals can then be utilized by the plastics and WPC industry. This systems approach can transform mining wastes into resources [3,6], conferring environmental and socio-economic benefits. However, stakeholder cooperation is requisite to address technological and policy challenges surrounding bioleaching implementation in the West Balkans.
