Abstract:
Removal of, metal values from industrial wastes through bioleaching offers a non-polluting and economic solution to environmental problems. In the present work, the fungal strain Aspergillus niger, isolated from soil near the ash pond of Bhilai Steel Plant, Chhatisgarh, was found to leach out various metal values like Cu, Zn, Ga, Ni, Pb, Fe and Cr from coal fly ash. 78% Ga, 53% Zn and 51% Cu were solubilized from the coal fly ash at 10% pulp density in a period of 21 days.