Synergistic Mechanisms in the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and thiooxidans Consortium: A Comprehensive Review

In bioleaching processes, the use of microbial consortia establishes a favourable environment that supports the growth and activity of multiple microorganisms, thereby enhancing their synergistic interactions during leaching. Mineral dissolution efficiency is consistently higher in consortia than in monocultures. Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans exhibit metabolic complementarity and synchrony, including interactions with thermophilic microorganisms. Bioleaching is typically conducted under highly acidic conditions (pH 1–2), where microorganisms utilize essential resources such as nutrients and oxygen, while tolerating elevated concentrations of heavy metals. This review aims to examine the characteristics and current applications of microbial consortia, with particular emphasis on their interactions with heavy metals, the behaviour of their exopolysaccharides (EPS) under toxic conditions, their role in bioremediation across diverse environmental systems, and their potential for industrial implementation. Microbial consortia represent a high-value biotechnological tool in both mining and environmental remediation. Their synergistic interactions enable enhanced efficiency in the bioleaching of sulphide minerals, promoting the mobilization of both economically valuable and contaminant metals, and significantly outperforming individual cultures. Consequently, microbial consortia constitute a versatile, resilient, and eco-efficient platform for metal recovery and the mitigation of environmental liabilities. This review focuses on the applications of bacterial consortia in bioleaching processes and highlights their potential for emerging and future use.