The Biomining Handbook
A practical guide for biologists and mining professionals
About This Handbook
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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What is Biomining?
Any biological mechanism used to aid metal recovery, mineral processing, or the management of mining-related wastes and liabilities.
Mechanisms
- •Bioleaching
- •Biooxidation
- •Bioseparation
- •Biosorption
- •Bioaccumulation
- •Bioprecipitation
- •Biomineralization
- •Bioflotation
- •Phytomining
- •Biosensing
Applications
- •Heap leaching
- •Tank leaching
- •In-stope leaching
- •Metal separation
- •Stream polishing
- •AMD treatment
- •Mine closure
- •Tailings reprocessing
- •E-waste recovery
- •Ground stabilization
Why Biomining Now?
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 can make conventional chemistry overly expensive, intensive, or risky. Biology can couple selectivity with adaptation to unlock value.
Mining 101
Learn how your biology fits into mining operations
Biology 101
Understand how biology can enhance your operations
Essential Resources
What Is Biomining?
Definitions, mechanisms, and where biotech complements and rivals chemistry
Complex Materials
Tailings, AMD, e-waste, and where biology helps most
Example Flowsheets
Real-world integration examples and bio-modules
Technology Assessment Checklist
Evaluate biomining technologies against mining requirements
Frontier Challenges
Key research gaps and the roadmap ahead for biomining