How bioremediation is used within the mining industry

Many organisms can break down toxic substances into less hazardous substances. This often happens slowly in natural environments. Some microorganisms, such as bacteria found in soils, can absorb pollutants and process them into less harmful substances, this can happen at a faster rate if their environment provides a source of oxygen and nitrogen. Some mine waste does not allow the growth of tree roots, so other methods of restoration must be used, alternatively waste can be removed from a site to a treatment plants.