Microbes could extract the metal needed for cleantech

Biotech firms are helping miners extract more metals from aging mines to meet the increasing demand for metals like nickel, copper, and rare earth elements. Companies like Allonnia and Endolith are using microbial fermentation and genetic tools to optimize metal extraction from lower-quality ore. While some startups are genetically engineering microbes for better performance, others are focusing on microbial fermentation products to extract metals. The challenge lies in convincing established mining companies to adopt these biotechnologies and scale them up to meet the growing demand for metals.