1640 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
Finally, we are exploring several avenues for carbon
capture by bringing together our bio-solubilization and
biocementation research. Preliminary results confirm
that carbon capture using Ca and Mg-rich solutions can
be achieved through the use of microbial and enzymatic
approaches, including carbonic anhydrase and urease pro-
duction, using microbes in our biobank.
Allonnia’s exploration of complex biological reactions
that could transform mining technology is just starting
and holds vast possibilities. Our early efforts, shared here,
illustrate exciting prospects for harnessing biology’s poten-
tial in mining for selective solubilization which has direct
applications within ore beneficiation via gangue removal,
the bio-cementation of tailings and stockpiles and carbon
sequestration.
concentrate and tailings tested. We are continuing to evalu-
ate an expanded range of materials and bio-solvents.
Our work in material agglomeration also utilizes the
microbial and enzyme database and bio-bank to harness
and improve the ability of microbes to enable carbonate
precipitation. In parallel, our laboratory-scale application
experiments have demonstrated the ability to achieve sig-
nificant increases in material strength for a range of min-
ingassociated materials, including ores and tailings. We are
also beginning to successfully tailor our microbial products
and processes to meet chemical and physical specifications
relevant to targeted mining applications including stock-
pile protection from the elements, dust control, and tailings
stabilization.
Figure 7. CO2 sequestration through carbonate precipitation. Carbonic anhydrase-
producing microbial culture prior to the experiment (left). During the experiment, a
calcium source was added to the microbial culture and concentrated CO2 was bubbled into
the solution leading to the immediate (minutes) precipitation of CaCO3 crystals (right)
Figure 8. Carbon capture from bio-solvent leachates followed by a base adjustment. Solids harvested from bio-solvent leachate
(left). The mass of mixed solids harvested from the cation-rich bio-solvent leachates from tailings collected at three different
locations is shown (right)
Finally, we are exploring several avenues for carbon
capture by bringing together our bio-solubilization and
biocementation research. Preliminary results confirm
that carbon capture using Ca and Mg-rich solutions can
be achieved through the use of microbial and enzymatic
approaches, including carbonic anhydrase and urease pro-
duction, using microbes in our biobank.
Allonnia’s exploration of complex biological reactions
that could transform mining technology is just starting
and holds vast possibilities. Our early efforts, shared here,
illustrate exciting prospects for harnessing biology’s poten-
tial in mining for selective solubilization which has direct
applications within ore beneficiation via gangue removal,
the bio-cementation of tailings and stockpiles and carbon
sequestration.
concentrate and tailings tested. We are continuing to evalu-
ate an expanded range of materials and bio-solvents.
Our work in material agglomeration also utilizes the
microbial and enzyme database and bio-bank to harness
and improve the ability of microbes to enable carbonate
precipitation. In parallel, our laboratory-scale application
experiments have demonstrated the ability to achieve sig-
nificant increases in material strength for a range of min-
ingassociated materials, including ores and tailings. We are
also beginning to successfully tailor our microbial products
and processes to meet chemical and physical specifications
relevant to targeted mining applications including stock-
pile protection from the elements, dust control, and tailings
stabilization.
Figure 7. CO2 sequestration through carbonate precipitation. Carbonic anhydrase-
producing microbial culture prior to the experiment (left). During the experiment, a
calcium source was added to the microbial culture and concentrated CO2 was bubbled into
the solution leading to the immediate (minutes) precipitation of CaCO3 crystals (right)
Figure 8. Carbon capture from bio-solvent leachates followed by a base adjustment. Solids harvested from bio-solvent leachate
(left). The mass of mixed solids harvested from the cation-rich bio-solvent leachates from tailings collected at three different
locations is shown (right)