Mining the Trash
Fungi can extract rare earth metals from waste, turning discarded materials into valuable resources through bioleaching.
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SustainableMining
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Fungi Mining and Giant Waste Piles: New Paths to Rare Earths Without Digging Rock
Scientists are exploring alternatives to conventional rare earth mining by using fungi and industrial waste such as coal ash, mine tailings, and red mud. These methods aim to recover critical materials while reducing environmental harm. Although largely supplemental, they could improve domestic supply security and support large-scale environmental remediation.
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