A practical guide for biologists and mining professionals
Biomining holds enormous potential for critical mineral recovery, but the field lacks a centralized resource bridging biological solutions and mining challenges. This handbook aims to address that gap.
Born from Homeworld's Biomining Under Complex Conditions Workshop, our goal is a gold-standard, technically accurate resource for both communities to design better projects together.
What you'll find:
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Any biological mechanism used to aid metal recovery, mineral processing, or the management of mining-related wastes and liabilities.
Mining and critical mineral recovery face a new set of constraints: rising demand from clean energy, a shift toward more complex feedstocks, and tightening limits around energy, water, tailings, and social licence.
Complexity is the central issue. Most lab breakthroughs use simplified systems, but industry faces polymetallic ores, process waters with diverse co-metals, legacy wastes, and tight operational constraints.
This complexity makes conventional chemistry expensive, blunt, or risky. Biology can couple selectivity with adaptation to unlock value.
Understand how biology can enhance your operations
Learn how your biology fits into mining operations
Definitions, mechanisms, and where biotech rivals chemistry
Tailings, AMD, e-waste, and where biology helps most
Real-world integration examples and bio-modules
Evaluate biomining technologies against mining requirements
Key research gaps and the roadmap ahead for biomining