Bioleaching is a technique used to extract metals like copper from low-grade ores using microorganisms, especially bacteria like Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.
These bacteria facilitate the conversion of insoluble metal sulfides into soluble metal sulfates, which can then be recovered through precipitation or other methods.
This method is environmentally friendly and economical when dealing with ores of poor concentration, unlike electro-refining (used for purifying metals), liquation (used for low-melting metals), and roasting (used for converting sulfides to oxides in high-grade ores).