6
also present a significant environmental advantage. Unlike
strong acids, the Mg and Ca are still labile in solution and
can be readily precipitated (Figure 7). The photograph
shows the loaded bio-solvent solution after mixing with the
tailings on the left and the precipitates formed after base
adjustment on the right. The bio-solvents are not degraded
during the solubilization. We are currently refining our
methods for bio-solvent recovery.
Bio-Cementation
With our bio-informatics database, we identified several
isolates with the genetic potential to perform MICP path-
ways and have been testing the ability of these organisms in
our lab (Figure 8).
Using the same enzymatic formulation and by alter-
ing treatment conditions, we achieved differing amounts
of unconfined compressive strength for the same material,
as compared to a water control (Figure 9). The conditions
tested in Trial 2 resulted in a strength that was over 5-fold
higher than Trial 1 and was achieved through altering a
few key conditions. This suggests that the strength of the
agglomerated material can be readily tuned based on the
application requirements. In addition to testing several dif-
ferent ore and tailings materials, we are currently working
on evaluating other factors such as the resistance of our
bio-cemented material to variable temperature and mois-
ture conditions.
CONCLUSION
Allonnia’s ever-growing microbial and enzyme database and
bio-bank include the genetic sequences for and the isolates/
enrichments of many individual and consortia of bacteria
and fungi from unique environments across the world.
We believe that characterizing the microbiome present at
mining sites will be key to uncovering the genetic poten-
tial present in mineral-rich environments and unlocking
novel approaches for solving mining’s greatest challenges.
We are currently utilizing this resource to inform our work
in the selective solubilization of gangue minerals using
bio-solvents and in developing microbial approaches for
agglomerating and controlling the strength and geotechni-
cal stability for a range of mining-associated materials.
Our current work on bio-solvents has identified mul-
tiple formulations that were able to produce the targeted
removal of silicate minerals in both ore materials and tail-
ings. For a range of ore materials, approximately 30% of
the gangue alumino-silicates were removed after just 2
Figure 7. Cations are Readily Precipitated out of the
Bio-solvents with Base Adjustment. While this process is
unoptimized, it demonstrates that the cations are viable for
other applications
Figure 8. Enzymatic activity observed in select microbes
within Allonnia’s biobank. Utilization of urea results in a
yellow to red color change
Figure 9. Tunability of the Unconfined Compressive
Strength of the Mining Material. By varying the treatment
conditions but using the same enzymatic formulation, the
unconfined compressive strength was altered to fit different
application requirements. Data are averages of 7 or 8
samples for each treatment
also present a significant environmental advantage. Unlike
strong acids, the Mg and Ca are still labile in solution and
can be readily precipitated (Figure 7). The photograph
shows the loaded bio-solvent solution after mixing with the
tailings on the left and the precipitates formed after base
adjustment on the right. The bio-solvents are not degraded
during the solubilization. We are currently refining our
methods for bio-solvent recovery.
Bio-Cementation
With our bio-informatics database, we identified several
isolates with the genetic potential to perform MICP path-
ways and have been testing the ability of these organisms in
our lab (Figure 8).
Using the same enzymatic formulation and by alter-
ing treatment conditions, we achieved differing amounts
of unconfined compressive strength for the same material,
as compared to a water control (Figure 9). The conditions
tested in Trial 2 resulted in a strength that was over 5-fold
higher than Trial 1 and was achieved through altering a
few key conditions. This suggests that the strength of the
agglomerated material can be readily tuned based on the
application requirements. In addition to testing several dif-
ferent ore and tailings materials, we are currently working
on evaluating other factors such as the resistance of our
bio-cemented material to variable temperature and mois-
ture conditions.
CONCLUSION
Allonnia’s ever-growing microbial and enzyme database and
bio-bank include the genetic sequences for and the isolates/
enrichments of many individual and consortia of bacteria
and fungi from unique environments across the world.
We believe that characterizing the microbiome present at
mining sites will be key to uncovering the genetic poten-
tial present in mineral-rich environments and unlocking
novel approaches for solving mining’s greatest challenges.
We are currently utilizing this resource to inform our work
in the selective solubilization of gangue minerals using
bio-solvents and in developing microbial approaches for
agglomerating and controlling the strength and geotechni-
cal stability for a range of mining-associated materials.
Our current work on bio-solvents has identified mul-
tiple formulations that were able to produce the targeted
removal of silicate minerals in both ore materials and tail-
ings. For a range of ore materials, approximately 30% of
the gangue alumino-silicates were removed after just 2
Figure 7. Cations are Readily Precipitated out of the
Bio-solvents with Base Adjustment. While this process is
unoptimized, it demonstrates that the cations are viable for
other applications
Figure 8. Enzymatic activity observed in select microbes
within Allonnia’s biobank. Utilization of urea results in a
yellow to red color change
Figure 9. Tunability of the Unconfined Compressive
Strength of the Mining Material. By varying the treatment
conditions but using the same enzymatic formulation, the
unconfined compressive strength was altered to fit different
application requirements. Data are averages of 7 or 8
samples for each treatment