BIOTECHNOLOGY AND THE FUTURE OF MINERAL RECOVERY

A NEW INNOVATION COULD MARK A TURNING POINT IN THE QUEST FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE AND SELECTIVE MINERAL EXTRACTION PROCESSES.

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In what is being described as a potential breakthrough that could reshape the landscape of Australia's mining sector, scientists at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals (COEMinerals) recently unveiled a biotechnology-driven method to recover critical and rare earth minerals. Drawing inspiration from targeted cancer therapies, this innovation could mark a turning point in the quest for more sustainable and selective mineral extraction processes.

At the centre of this achievement is Professor Chun-Xia Zhao from the University of Adelaide's school of chemical engineering. Zhao and her team have developed a technique that uses specially designed peptide molecules to bind to specific minerals with extraordinary accuracy.

"We knew nature contained molecules with selective binding properties," she said.

"By harnessing these properties, we were able to find precise peptide matches for specific minerals, each one fitting like a jigsaw puzzle."

The approach represents a departure from conventional mineral separation methods. Mineral processing traditionally involves multiple stages of physical and chemical separation. These processes are often energy-intensive, rely on solvents, and generate considerable waste.

According to data from the Federal Government, the minerals sector is responsible for more than 10 per cent of Australia’s total industrial energy use.

Technologies that reduce complexity and environmental impact are seen as essential to achieving future sustainability goals.

Zhao’s team first applied the biotechnology technique to silver.

Using peptides, they were able to separate silver particles from silica, a common waste byproduct, with 98 per cent purity rate. Perhaps more significantly, the entire separation process required only a single stage and no toxic chemicals.