Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MetLeach (Feasibility study on nature based more efficient 2-step bioleaching technology producing methane gas and metal compounds from “low grade” multimetallic European ores/wastes containing organometallics.)
Reporting period: 2017-08-01 to 2018-01-31
The project addressed the possibilities to expand the market in EU of an innovative new metal extraction technology developed by Estonian SME. Using a new team of different microorganisms on the ore in a cooperation that results with the generation of methane gas and metals dropping into the water solution generates a new more cost-efficient way to extract metals from low-grade ores.
Simultaneously the European deposits of black shale ores contain significant reserves of base and highly valuable rare and precious metals (Mo, Re, V, Ni, Zn, Cu, Ag, Zn, Pb, Co, Bi, Au, Pt, Se, Pd, Sn, etc.) of which Europe is the main consumer in the World. As the conventional metallurgy methods are with low efficiency and negative environmental impact for recovering valuable metals from European black shales, the industry and scientists have turned to biohydrometallurgy.
The outcome of BiotaMet project is strongly supporting the second pillar from 3 pillars that are presented in The European Commission’s Raw Materials Initiative – foster sustainable supply of raw materials within the EU via cost-effective and climate friendly technologies thus boosting overall resource efficiency in the Union. The outcome is also supporting a third pillar of the given Initiative - Resource efficiency and supply of ""secondary raw materials"" through recycling, as technology being developed can be used to maximise the cost-efficiency of extracting metals form mine wastes and electronic waste"
Based on work carried out a feasibility report that verified the economic and technological feasibility of the planned development activities was made in order to establish a solid high-potential innovation project aligned to the BiotaTec’s strategy and with a European dimension.
Ensuring sustainable access to raw materials is crucial to the competitiveness and growth of the EU economy and to the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy. There are at least 30 million jobs depending on the availability of raw materials in the EU. Securing reliable and unhindered access to raw materials is sadly a growing concern within the EU and across the globe.