Denver -based endolith is used to help recover valuable supply chain materials, such as copper and lithium, in a more sustainable way.
According to a report By Mother Jones, the company recently completed the tests that confirm that microbial mining technology can extract large quantities of copper from low -grade materials that are difficult to run in the remaining mining waste.
The concentration of copper is a semi -processed substance derived from the mining copper ore, usually contains 30 % of the metal, along with 70 % of impurities and waste, such as mining images subscriber.
Endolith process helps to recover this valuable mineral of waste using natural microbes, which reduces the use of harmful chemicals that are used frequently.
The CEO of Endolith Liz Dennett said in a report This “microscopic miners” workers are noticeably good in extracting minerals that traditional chemistry leaves behind, “and the company is preparing to increase its process.
Several international mining companies have made informal investments in the company over the years, and in 2023, the Ministry of Energy has submitted a $ 1.1 million grant To develop the process.
Copper is used through many industries, including electronics and Electric vehiclesWhere it makes high conductivity have a special value.
It is a major component of our transition to clean energy. But supply chains are unconfirmed, and copper demand is high. According to analysts, about 24.3 million tons From copper was extracted in 2023, which represents a 30 % increase over the past twenty years.
The demand for the metal is expected to grow around it 55 million tons Annually by 2050, new methods of increasing extraction, especially from waste, can increase from supply.
The company begins with analyzing the original crude and microbial supplies in each site to understand the terms of the baseline and report Make up. Next, he chooses and adapts the most appropriate strains of each site using a microbial library and genetic technologies.
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Then it is sprayed on waste piles on mining sites and constantly monitored using Endolith’s An original cloud platform To make actual time adjustments and improve copper recovery rates.
The company also uses its microbes to help extraction From lithium, another valuable material for batteries and electric cars. There are large sediments of lehium rich clay in the southwest of the United States, but high carbonate levels hinder the development of these resources, according to Endolith.
One of its solutions removes these carbonate before filtration, reducing the use of sulfuric acid and improving productivity and production.
Endolith microbial operations are an environment and to enhance the supply chain of materials that are vital for the future of clean energy. Less number of toxic chemicals are inserted into the environment while using waste.
Fortunately, copper can also be recycled repeatedly Without the contraction of quality, which is a valuable feature of creating a circular economy and reducing the need for mining projects that affect societies and ecosystems.
Denit said, according to a report.
“Our goal is simple: reshaping the supply chains of the most important technological transformations in our lives.”
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