Applications of Biotechnology in Critical Metal Recovery

Dear Colleagues,

The transition to a net-zero economy has precipitated an unprecedented demand for critical minerals, particularly Rare Earth Elements, lithium, cobalt and nickel, which are essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. As high-grade primary ores deplete, the recovery of these metals from low-grade resources and anthropogenic waste (urban mining) has become a strategic imperative. This Special Issue seeks to capture the state-of-the-art in biotechnologies designed to secure these critical supply chains.

We invite submissions that bridge the gap between fundamental microbiology and industrial application. The scope encompasses three primary thematic areas:

(1) Biomining and biorecovery, exploring novel heterotrophic and autotrophic organisms for the extraction of Rare Earth Elements and battery metals from ores and e-waste;

(2) Biotechnological enhancements, focusing on synthetic biology, metabolic engineering and protein engineering to improve selectivity and efficiency;

(3) Industry applications and challenges, addressing scale-up, techno-economic analysis and the commercialization of phytomining and bio-recycling technologies.

Both original research articles and comprehensive reviews are welcome.

Dr. Mauricio Acosta
Dr. Francisco Remonsellez
Guest Editors

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