Project description
Low-cost biotechnology for cobalt recovery from arsenic-rich resources
Cobalt (Co) is vital for clean energy technologies, particularly in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems. However, its supply chain is vulnerable, with a forecasted deficit expected by 2030. Also, many cobalt resources remain untapped, including arsenic-contaminated tailings and arsenic-rich primary ores known as 5-element deposits. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BioMagiCo project is developing low-cost biotechnology to recover cobalt from arsenic-rich resources in Europe. It will focus on bioleaching mine waste and using bacteria to create stable cobalt-doped magnetite nanostructures for efficient cobalt recovery. The project will also address arsenic challenges and provide the researcher with training in related fields, including sustainable energy solutions.
Objective
Cobalt (Co) plays a crucial role in clean energy technologies, particularly batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, making its supply essential to global markets. However, Co has a highly vulnerable supply chain and a growing supply deficit has been forecast to emerge by 2030. Significant Co resources remain unlocked as arsenic (As) polluted tailings from legacy sites and As-rich primary ores, referred to as 5-element deposits. Through the project BioMagiCo, I will develop a new low-cost, sustainable, biotechnology that can address European Co supply chain issues by unlocking these As-rich Co resources. The project focusses on bioleaching mineralogically complex polymetallic mine-waste, immobilising the As as Fe-arsenate phases, and then harness the ability of bacteria that can reduce ferric iron (Fe³⁺) and incorporate Co²⁺ ions under anaerobic conditions, forming Co-doped magnetite (Fe₃₋ₓCoₓO₄) nanostructures (NS). Co-doped magnetite NS have remarkable magnetic and chemical stability positioning these NS for selective Co recovery using low-cost, low-energy magnetic separation. I will develop this through four Research Objectives (1) Develop a functional microbial consortium will be developed to bioleach Co-bearing minerals from As-bearing mine wastes (2) Develop a protocol to overcome problems associated with the presence of As by precipitation of Fe-arsenates (3) Establish controls on Co doping levels in Co-doped magnetite NS during biosynthesis (4) Develop a conceptual process flowsheet at lab-scale for a techno-economically viable upscaled biosynthesis operation. Through BioMagiCo, I will be trained in mineralogical analytical workflows, geomicrobiology and bioleaching, synchrotron methods, developing techno-economic flowsheets, museum collection management, data archiving, public engagement and other professional skills that will establish me as a potential R&D Leader in sustainable, low-carbon energy solutions.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- engineering and technology environmental biotechnology bioremediation bioleaching
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
SW7 5BD London
United Kingdom
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