Bioderived element resource separation technology for waste processing

New methods for selective recovery of around USD 3.4 trillionworth of critical resources left in mining-influenced water are needed to enable improved waste valorisation and better environmental outcomes. Biological solutions for metal and mineral extraction have evolved over millions of years as they are essential resources for living organisms. These are many of the same critical resources that are required for manufacturing the technologies of the future. Membrane separation mechanisms used by living organisms to manage metal and mineral nutrient uptake and distribution are therefore being leveraged to develop next-generation mining biotechnologies that enable the recovery of critical materials from wastes. Research into mechanisms that diverse plant species use for selective resource separation has led to the development of the bioderived element resource separation technology (BERST) system. BERST is a modular biomimetic membrane system designed to extract permeates of high-purity metals, minerals and clean water from complex mining-influenced feed solutions. The BERST membrane system incorporates collections of bioengineered, highly selective, pore-forming structures inspired by nature and optimised for stability and performance that enable targeted and selective separation of valuable metals and minerals from wastes. Demonstration of selective metal recovery using BERST is at the laboratory-scale prototype testing stage. Deployment of systems like BERST that enable mining-influenced waters to be separated into high-purity metal, mineral and clean water resources align with the concept of ‘economic rehabilitation’, where the residual value in mining-influenced water is harnessed to improve the social and environmental outcomes of mine closure and operations. BERST is expected to contribute to enabling sustainable management of mining-influenced waters, reducing environmental impacts and supporting circular practices in the mining industry.