Biomining for rare earth elements

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This is an article about biomining for rare earth elements. It discusses how scientists are using bacteria to separate rare earth elements from other elements. The process involves using bacteria to dissolve rocks and other materials that contain rare earth elements. The bacteria then produce acids that help to separate the rare earth elements from other metals. This process is still being developed, but it has the potential to be a more environmentally friendly way to mine for rare earth elements.

Read article pdf download: https://media.nature.com/original/ma...23-03611-4.pdf

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Many microorganisms naturally concentrate metals, and some are already used to mine copper and gold. The discovery about a decade ago of microbes that use lanthanides for their metabolism allowed researchers to explore the feasibility of adapting the microorganisms or their components to isolate REEs. The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Virginia, has invested around US$43 million in research–industry partnerships to develop biomining for REEs. https://media.nature.com/original/ma...23-03611-4.pdf