In the XTRACT project, 14 partners from nine European countries are working on sustainable solutions for the mining of the future under the leadership of TU Bergakademie Freiberg (Institute of Biosciences). The aim of the consortium of research, industry and authorities is to develop new technologies and processes that will help reduce pressure on natural resources and significantly lower emissions from mining, in line with the EU's climate protection targets.

The Microbiology and Biohydrometallurgy research group is developing and testing a new (in-situ) bioleaching concept using microorganisms to extract metals from low-grade ores and mining residues. In addition, a membrane technology for separating metals from the acidic bioleaching solutions will be optimised in this project at the Institute of Thermal Process Engineering, Environmental and Natural Materials Process Engineering.

The field experiments will take place at the Tellerhäuser/Pöhla site, where the microorganisms used occur naturally. By the end of 2025, a pilot plant is expected to be built here, in which the micro-organisms will reproduce under optimised living conditions and extract valuable in the context of their metabolism. No landfills or cavities will be left in the process.

• Project coordination: Prof. Dr Sabrina Hedrich
• Scientific processing of the project: Dr Minimol Madhavan
• Project management: Claudia Kallmeier

Information on the project

Project website

Saxony reinvents mining in the Ore Mountains - article in the Sächsische Zeitung (German)