Bioming and sustainable ore processing

Unlocking Nature’s Potential: How TC’s Biomining Revolutionizes Metal Extraction for a Sustainable Future

Biomining, or bioleaching or microbial mining, is an innovative process that uses microorganisms to extract metals from ores. Unlike traditional mining methods, which rely on harsh chemicals and high energy consumption, biomining employs naturally occurring bacteria and fungi to dissolve metals from rocks and minerals. These microorganisms break down the ore and release the metals, which can then be collected and processed for industrial use.

One key advantage of biomining is its environmental friendliness. It significantly reduces the environmental impact of conventional mining, such as habitat destruction, soil and water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Since biomining uses biological agents, it produces no harmful byproducts and generates almost no waste.

Biomining is also highly efficient. TC microorganisms used in biomining are specific to the chemical composition of every mine, which allows for selective extraction that results in 99.4% extraction or more. This means biomining can target specific minerals in complex ore deposits, leading to higher yields and reduced processing costs.

Additionally, using biomining, TC can apply the technology to ores that are otherwise difficult or uneconomical to extract using traditional methods. This includes low-grade ores and mine tailings, which contain valuable metals but are often left untouched due to conventional mining techniques’ expense and environmental impact.

Overall, TC biomining techniques achieve sustainable resource extraction and offer economic and environmental benefits. As TC’s R+D team continues to advance, biomining is expected to become the new normal in the industry.