Toward the bioleaching of bauxite residue by <i>Gluconobacter oxydans</i>

This work builds on previous research that seeks to extract rare earth elements and critical raw materials from bauxite residue through contact leaching with organic acids. Some elements such as yttrium, aluminum, calcium, and titanium could be effectively solubilized; however some elements showed reduced solubility, possibly due to tight association with the iron phase of the residue. However, the relative ease and speed of leaching, and improved solubilization, suggest that this could be a viable method for securing critical raw material supplies.