As biotechnologies emerge from laboratories into main-stream application, t
he benefits they, offer are judged against competing technologies and busin
ess criteria. Bioremediation technologies have passed this test and are now
widely used for the remediation of contaminated soils and ground waters. B
ioremediation includes several distinct techniques that are used for the tr
eatment of excavated soil and includes other techniques that are used for i
n situ applications. They play an important and growing role in the mining
industry for cost-effective waste management and site remediation. Most app
lications have been for petroleum contaminants, but advances continue to be
made in the treatment of more difficult organ ic and inorganic species. Th
is paper discusses the role of biotechnologies in remediation and pollution
control from a mining-industry perspective. Several case studies are prese
nted, including the land application of oily wastewater from maintenance wo
rkshops, the composting of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils and sludges, the
bioventing of hydrocarbon solvents, the intrinsic bioremediation of diesel
hydrocarbons, the biotreatment of cyanide in water front a gold mine, and t
he removal of manganese from acidic mine drainage.