The contamination of rivers from mining waste, one of Peru's most pressing environmental problems, can be fought using microorganisms, according to the Peruvian Institute of Nuclear Energy (IPEN) .

''We will train biological engineers, chemists and miners so that the mining companies implement bio-mining and bio-remediation programs,'' IPEN chief Modesto Montoya, told Tierramérica.

Bio-mining consists of using bacteria to absorb the materials mixed with the ore, while releasing copper and improving the recovery of gold.

Bio-remediation involves purifying the water of the rivers adjacent to the mines by using bacteria, algae and fungus.

The project was presented to the mining companies in Peru during an international science meeting organized by IPEN, which drew more than 500 experts to Lima in August.