Research and Application of Green Technology Based on Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) in Mining: A Review

Yuzhou Liu, Kaijian Hu (), Meilan Pan, Wei Dong, Xiaojun Wang () and Xingyu Zhu
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Yuzhou Liu: School of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Kaijian Hu: School of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Meilan Pan: School of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Wei Dong: School of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Xiaojun Wang: School of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Xingyu Zhu: School of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-33

Abstract: Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP), as an eco-friendly biomineralization technology, has opened up an innovative path for the green and low-carbon development of the mining industry. Unlike conventional methods, its in situ solidification minimizes environmental disturbances and reduces carbon emissions during construction. This article reviews the research on MICP technology in various scenarios within the mining industry, summarizes the key factors influencing the application of MICP, and proposes a future research direction to fill the gap of the lack of systematic guidance for the application of MICP in this field. Specifically, it elaborates on the solidification mechanism of MICP and its current application in the solidification and storage of tailings, heavy metal immobilization, waste resource utilization, carbon sequestration, and field-scale deployment, establishing a technical foundation for broader implementation in the mining sector. Key influencing factors that affect the solidification effect of MICP are discussed, along with critical engineering challenges such as the attenuation of microbial activity and the low uniformity of calcium carbonate precipitation under extreme conditions. Proposed solutions include environmentally responsive self-healing technologies (the stimulus-responsive properties of the carriers extend the survival window of microorganisms), a one-phase low-pH injection method (when the pH = 5, the delay time for CaCO 3 to appear is 1.5 h), and the incorporation of auxiliary additives (the auxiliary additives provided more adsorption sites for microorganisms). Future research should focus on in situ real-time monitoring of systems integrated with deep learning, systematic mineralization evaluation standard system, and urea-free mineralization pathways under special conditions. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, MICP offers significant potential for integrated scientific and engineering solutions in mine waste solidification and sustainable resource utilization.

Keywords: MICP; tailings solidification; heavy metal immobilization; waste resource utilization; field application (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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