Microbes and Minerals - the World’s Smallest Miners
The economic recovery of metals from ores is a topic of increasing interest. As demand for critical minerals escalate, and the grade of available ores reduce, the mining industry needs to engage with more sustainable biotechnology for mineral extraction.
Professor Elizabeth Watkin’s presentation will focus on two applications of this biotechnology:
- Saline Water Bioleaching: the use of salt tolerant microorganisms to facilitate the extraction of metals from primary ores and tailings, potentially reducing the reliance on fresh water in sulfide mineral bioleaching.
- Rare Earth Elements (REEs): the development of microbial processes that result in more economically feasible and environmentally friendly extraction of REEs; elements used extensively in green and smart technologies.
Professor Elizabeth Watkin is the Associate Dean (Science and Maths) of ECU’s School of Science. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of microbial ecology of environmental systems and covers the fields of mining biotechnology, mineral resource recovery and microbial fouling of water (particularly within mining systems).
Event is open to the public. Registrations are essential.
DATE AND TIME
Thursday, 27 April 2023
3.45pm (for 4.00pm start).
ACCESS
The venue is fitted with a T-Switch hearing loop system and is wheelchair accessible. If you have any accessibility needs to participate in the event, please contact ECU's Corporate Events team by email (corporate.events@ecu.edu.au) or phone: (08) 6304 2011.
Location
Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, Building 32 Lecture Theatre
270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup WA 6027
Contact Details