I find it very interesting how many different types of microorganisms are involved in the process of leaching and the multiple ways that this process can be completed. This article mentions that this process is usually used for copper or uranium but that the leaching bacteria can be used on multiple other minerals. It is also mentioned that bacterial leaching is not very common compared to the others ways that are used to recover metals and that is due to the fact that it wasn't needed as much until recently.