The efficiency of industrial microbial leaching of metal values from sulfide minerals has remained erratic and unpredictable due to lack of quantitative informatio about the relevant microorganisms. The goal of this research is to gather systematic information about genetic make-up and metabolic pathways of this bacteria. This will be achieved by developing reliable means for the identification and classification of Thiobacillus, Leptospillium, Acidiphiliuman, and yet unnamed bacteria important in mineral leaching in terms of RNA base sequence. The base sequences will permit construction of phylogenetic classification of these bacteria, which will permit the cohoice of those microorganisms best suited for further investigation.
