TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Method: The environment is established in reactor vessel(s). The recovered bioproducts are microorganisms and/or their metabolites, and are screened for desired properties. Dissolved metal(s) in soluble form is added to the vessel with an impeller for agitating the slurry. Small amounts of organic compounds are introduced into the vessel with a growth requirement which is met by these organic compounds. Inorganic nutrient(s) is added to the slurry in the vessel to optimize the growth of selected microorganisms in the slurry. A specific mutagenic pressure is applied to the microorganisms in the vessel to promote adaptation of the microorganism to particular conditions e.g. exposure of some cells to ultraviolet or gamma radiation, or the introduction of appropriate concentrations of mutagenic chemicals into the slurry. The mineral solids concentration of the slurry in the vessel is controlled to facilitate the selection of microorganisms with physiological functions capable of withstanding high shear forces with a high solids loading. An impeller speed or a degree of agitation is controlled to select for microorganisms with physiological functions capable of withstanding high shear forces with high impeller tip speeds. The hydraulic retention time of the vessel is controlled to select for microorganisms with a specific cell growth rate. The slurry in the vessel is sparged with air which is supplemented with additional carbon dioxide or oxygen, resulting in stable and elevated dissolved carbon dioxide or oxygen concentrations. An oxygen-enriched gas or pure oxygen is fed to the slurry. The dissolved oxygen concentration is determined in the slurry, and is maintained within the desired range (preferably at 0.2x10-3 to 10x10-3 kg/m3). The slurry is supplied to the vessel in a continuous stream. The feed gas is supplied to the slurry containing in excess of 85 volume% (vol.%) oxygen. The oxygen content of the feed gas, the rate of supply of the feed gas to the slurry or the rate of feed of the slurry to the vessel is controlled. The carbon content of the slurry is controlled by one or more of: the addition of carbon dioxide feed gas to the slurry; and the addition of other carbonaceous material to the slurry. The carbon dioxide content of the feed gas to the slurry is controlled in 0.5-5 (preferably 1-1.5) vol.%. The temperature of the slurry in the vessel is maintained at a value greater than 60, preferably less than 85degreesC. The growth of microorganisms in the reactor is initiated by introducing a suitable microorganism inoculum into the slurry. The inoculum is obtained from a source which is liquid or solid samples from sulfur-containing coal dumps, sulfur-containing volcanic thermal areas or sulfur-containing inland thermal hot springs. The environment is maintained at up to 45 or 60-85degreesC. The slurry is oxidized using mesophile microorganisms, moderate thermophile microorganisms, or thermophilic microorganisms. The extracted bioproducts are investigated using techniques from creation of gene expression libraries, creation of libraries of multi-gene pathways responsible for the production of small molecules, or screening of large number of genes and their variants.Preferred Products: The recovered bioproducts are microorganisms and/or their metabolites, and proteins. The mesophile microorganisms are Acidithiobacillus (formerly Thiobacillus), Leptospirillum, Ferromicrobium, or Acidiphilium. The moderate thermophile microorganisms are Acidithiobacillus (formerly Thiobacillus), Acidimicrobium, Sulfobacillus, Ferroplasma (Ferriplasma), or Alicyclobacillus. The thermophilic microorganisms are Acidothermus, Sulfolobus, Acidianus, Metallosphaera, Ferroplasma (Ferriplasma), thermoplasma, or Picrophilus.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The sulfide minerals are pyrite, arsenopyrite, pentlandite, enargite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, cinnabar, covelite or bornite. The inorganic nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium.