Phytomining and Agromining
Farming hyperaccumulator plants to harvest metals from soil.
Phytomining involves cultivating plants that naturally absorb high levels of metals like nickel, cobalt, and zinc. The biomass is harvested and burned to recover 'bio-ore'. This technology enables low-impact extraction from low-grade laterites or rehabilitation of contaminated mine tailings, merging agriculture with mining.
Technology Readiness Level
5
Validated
Impact
4
High
Investment
3
Medium
Category
Applications
Use cases and applied technologies.
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