The objective of this proposal is to organize a workshop to examine theopportunities for the use of available and potential microbial processes in the solution mining of metals, metal extraction from ores, and from solid and liquid metal-containing wastes, and the desulfurization of fossil fuels. The workshop will provide an opportunity for industrial representatives to present problems not previously considered by basic and applied researchers for possible biotechnological solutions. Attendance will be open to scientists andgovernment and industrial researchers who have interests in microbial processes.