SME is developing new nature based bioleaching routes for different organics and metals containing ores/wastes having metal compounds trapped in metallo-organic complexes. The effectiveness of the bioleaching process of ores considered so far as “low grade” is raised by 3 factors in BiotaTec (BT) approach: higher yield of metals, lower energy costs due to generation of methane gas, no additional costs for cooling of bioleaching. Bioleaching is growingly popular for processing low-grade ores as a cheap, reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly way to extract metals. In many ores, metals are present in 2 forms - as sulphides or in organo-metallic compounds called metallo-porphyrins. Although there is an extensive list of bioleaching studies using sulphide concentrates, much less is known about the microbial decomposition of organo-metallic complexes. The presence of organic material is believed to be the obstacle of efficient bioleaching of metals from specific European ores. The key component of the BT solutions is nutritional medium which is effective in activating special consortia of microorganisms. BT has found and deposited a mixture of hetherotrophic neutrophils and methanogenic archaea - a consortium of microorganisms that degrades the organic complex in anaerobic conditions at neutral pH and also leaches some metal compounds in the same anaerobic process. BiotaTec has drafted a new possible route for a low-grade ore /end of life products bioleaching process. The objective of a project is to evaluate the economic feasibility of the developed technological solution for ores in Europe - in situations where extracting valuable metals from ores has been either impossible or not cost-efficient and environmentally friendly due to large quantities of strong acids needed to break the complex. BiotaTec foresees becoming a provider of proprietary nutritional medium and support services for mining industries.

Traditional metal extraction activities have resulted in serious impacts on the environment, including large energy and carbon footprint, toxic emissions, and acidic wastes. Due to large-scale globalization and intensive exploitation of accessible metal resources, the mining industry had to depend on low grade ores and metal waste as raw materials. These ores and wastes contain large deposits of complex organic compounds, which makes the metal extraction that much more difficult, inefficient, expensive and environmentally demanding. BiotaTec developed BiotaMet, a novel 2-step bio-leaching solution for mining/metallurgy and recycling industries, to achieve maximum valorisation of low-grade ores, tailings, wastes and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). It uses a unique combination of heterotrophic microorganisms and methanogens, that have been adapted to biodegrade and extract metal compounds ores. The process is highly efficient, works at neutral pH, generates clean waste and simultaneously produces methane gas for energy generation. The 2-steps of the process feed each other for material and heat energy, making the process self-sufficient. It reduces the dependence on high-grade metal ores, and is able to achieve metal yield rates of 86-97% (compared to 70-80% for traditional methods) with low-grade ores and wastes. BiotaMet is expected to reduce the energy requirement of metal extraction by 40% and provide additional annual revenue estimation of > €7.3 million for mining companies and > €5 million for WEEE recycling companies. With the EIC accelerator phase 00 project, BiotaTec would focus on optimizing the technology for four specific raw materials, and on the construction of large bioreactors at their bio-mining center. Lab-scale and industry-scale pilots would ensure validation and demonstration of BiotaMet. Based on the market introduction strategy, BiotaTec would focus on commercializing BiotaMet technology across Europe, Canada and Jordan.

REMHub project proposal will create a cutting-edge digital innovation hub propelling EU excellence for Rare Earth Elements (REEs ) and magnets. REMHub will develop test and pilot novel technologies for exploration and primary production of rare earths and recovering rare earths from side streams to enhance supply security of REEs in EU. In addition, Re-X (Recycle, Reuse, refurbishment and repurposing) technologies for rare earths and valuable metals from end-of-life products as well as electric machine design for easier permanent magnet recycling will be developed. The project will also identify and engage relevant stakeholders for developing REE value chain in EU. In addition, in the innovation hub will ensure that the novel technologies developed in the project will be commercialized and offered as services in a digital platform. The project will also have dynamic communication and dissemination with the aim to involve and engage the public to develop trust and awareness related to REEs as well as to build capacity in EU. The hub targets transformative material sourcing for REEs and REE magnets, including traceability, digital twinning, and digital passport. The project partners cover the entire REE value chain starting from mineral exploration, through mineral processing and refining to metal production and magnet making as well as recycling. The project incorporates safe and sustainable by design framework (SSbD) including design for Re-X (recycling, re-use, refurbishment, repurposing) approach integrating easy dismantling and circularity properties. REMHub will significantly improve the supply security of REEs in the EU and with the digital innovation hub considerably accelerate the development of technologies and services to faster and easier market entry.