Biomining Market By Type of Metal Extracted (Copper, Iron, Gold, Zinc, Cobalt, Others), By Type of Process (Slope, Heap, In-situ), By Application (Mining, Metal Pollution Control): Growth, Size, Future Prospects, and Competitive Analysis, 2015 – 2027

Market Overview

Biomining, also referred to as bioleaching, is a process wherein microorganisms are harnessed to extract metals from waste or rock ores. Typically, these metals are trapped within solid minerals. Through oxidation facilitated by these microbes, the metal contents dissolve into water. Despite initially tepid adoption in the early 2000s, biomining has gradually gained traction and acceptance. In the midst of economic challenges precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, biomining managed to garner revenues of USD 1,500 million in 2020. Projections for this market are promising, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 13%. This growth trajectory positions the biomining market to reach an estimated valuation of USD 3,600 million by 2027.

Biomining has emerged as a sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional mining methods. With increasing concerns over the depletion of natural resources, biomining offers a solution that reduces the need for excessive energy consumption and minimizes waste production. This has caught the attention of numerous industries, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and electronics, among others.

One of the major advantages of biomining is its ability to extract valuable metals from low-grade ores that were previously considered economically unfeasible for traditional mining methods. This has opened up new opportunities for resource-rich countries with large deposits of low-grade ores, allowing them to tap into these resources and generate revenue. Additionally, biomining has a lower environmental impact compared to conventional mining methods due to its minimal use of chemicals and its ability to operate in a closed-loop system.

The use of biomining also has immense potential for recycling electronic waste, which is currently a major environmental concern. With the increasing demand for electronic products, there is a corresponding rise in e-waste that often ends up in landfills or incinerators, polluting the environment with toxic chemicals. Biomining can be used to extract valuable metals from e-waste, promoting a circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of disposing of electronic products.

Key market trends and drivers:

Copper Biomining: As a dominant force in the biomining market, copper biomining has been driven by its high demand and the depletion of most copper mines. Given copper’s extensive use in various industrial applications, such as electronics and construction, the need for sustainable and efficient mining methods has led to the adoption of biomining for copper extraction.

Iron and zinc Biomining: With the continuous expansion of the world’s infrastructure, the demand for iron and zinc remains consistently high. Biomining presents an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach to extracting these metals, making it an appealing avenue for growth.

Gold Biomining: Although currently less widespread than copper biomining, the gold biomining segment is projected to experience significant growth during the analysis period. This can be attributed to the increasing demand for gold in various sectors, coupled with the imperative to explore sustainable mining practices.

Cobalt Biomining: With the rising demand for cobalt, especially in the thriving lithium-ion battery market, biomining is expected to play a vital role in meeting this demand. Cobalt biomining offers a sustainable solution for extracting this valuable resource, minimizing environmental impact while maximizing efficiency.

In summary, the pursuit of environmentally conscious practices, combined with the growing demand for metals, is expected to continue driving the growth of the biomining market. As technology and research advance, biomining is poised to become a critical component of the mining industry, promoting sustainability and responsible resource management. The potential for biomining is vast, spanning various industries and regions, making it an exciting sector to monitor in the years to come. Let us continue harnessing the power of microbes and unlocking the potential of biomining for a sustainable and prosperous future. So, let us explore further the possibilities of biomining and its potential to revolutionize the mining industry.

Key market challenges

Despite the promising outlook for the biomining industry, it also faces significant challenges that require attention.

Processing Costs and Scale Limitations: One of the significant restraints for the biomining industry is its higher processing costs, primarily due to its limited scalability for processing larger volumes. This scale limitation can result in elevated costs, reducing competitiveness against conventional mining methods, especially for large-scale operations.

Water Availability: The biomining process requires a substantial volume of fresh water, presenting another significant challenge to its growth. In regions where freshwater is scarce or valuable, this can be a considerable obstacle, potentially impeding the widespread implementation of biomining techniques.

Environmental Risk: While often regarded as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional mining methods, biomining is not without potential environmental risks. During the biomining process, microorganisms generate highly acidic, metal-rich solutions. Any leakage of these solutions poses a threat to the surrounding environment, with the potential for serious environmental consequences. This necessitates the implementation of stringent controls and safeguards to prevent any accidental release of these harmful substances.

Competitive Analysis

In the biomining industry, the competitive landscape is characterized by several well-established companies. Leading players include Rio Tinto Plc, Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc., Rio Algom Ltd., and BHP, each making significant contributions to the industry. These companies bring valuable expertise, advanced technologies, and a strong global presence.

Rio Tinto Plc is widely recognized for its innovative approach, particularly in the R&D sector of biomining, which sets it apart from competitors. Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. is highly regarded for its commitment to sustainable mining practices and has played a pivotal role in the copper and gold biomining sectors. Rio Algom Ltd. and BHP have consistently demonstrated their operational efficiency and project management capabilities, giving them a competitive advantage in the market.

Recent Developments and News:

• BacTech Environmental Corporation announced a partnership with a local Ecuadorian company to utilize its bioleaching technology for the remediation of arsenic in the local gold processing industry. This project is still ongoing, demonstrating the potential of biomining in arsenic control.
• Teck Resources Ltd. declared the commencement of a new biomining project aimed at extracting minerals from waste rock, thus reducing environmental harm while also retrieving precious minerals.
• Anglo-Americans revealed a groundbreaking development in biomining. Collaborating with the University of Queensland, it initiated a project using bacteria to extract minerals, essentially creating a water-less mining process.
• Newmont Corporation successfully achieved full-scale bio-oxidation in its Ahafo mill in Ghana. This feat served as a major milestone in the integration of biomining techniques for large-scale gold extraction.
• Denison Mines Corp. announced the acquisition of the Wheeler River Uranium Project, planning to employ biomining techniques in the extraction of uranium, pushing the boundaries of sustainable mining practices.

Segmentations Analysis

Europe has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental regulation, which has significantly influenced its approach to mining activities. This mindset has facilitated the early and widespread adoption of biomining, contributing significantly to its prevalence in the region. However, stringent environmental regulations have also imposed substantial restrictions on traditional mining activities. As a result, Europe accounted for over 30% of the global biomining market share in 2020 and is expected to maintain its dominant position in the foreseeable future.

Biomining is typically carried out through three main process types: slope, heap, and in situ. In 2020, the slope biomining process dominated the market, capturing the largest share. This process has long been favored due to its proven efficiency, economic viability, and reliability. However, the heap process is expected to gain increasing attention and is likely to exhibit a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in future biomining activities.

Regarding metal extraction, biomining is employed for:

• Copper

• Iron

• Gold

• Zinc

• Cobalt

• Additional metals

Categorized by Process Type:

• Slope

• Heap

• In-situ

Application-wise, biomining is utilized for:

• Mining

• Metal pollution control

Geographically, the market is segmented as follows:

• North America
  • US

• • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany

• • France

• • UK

• • Italy

• • Spain

• • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China

• • Japan

• • India

• • South Korea

• • South-east Asia

• • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil

• • Mexico

• • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East and Africa
  • GCC Countries

• • South Africa

• • Rest of the Middle East and Africa

 

1.Preface
1.1.Report Description
1.1.1.Purpose of the Report
1.1.2.Target Audience
1.1.3.USP and Key Offerings
1.2.Research Scope
1.3.Research Methodology
1.3.1.Phase I – Secondary Research
1.3.2.Phase II – Primary Research
1.3.3.Phase III – Expert Panel Review
1.3.4.Approach Adopted
1.3.4.1.Top-Down Approach
1.3.4.2.Bottom-Up Approach
1.3.5.Assumptions
1.4.Market Segmentation

2.Executive Summary
2.1.Market Snapshot: Global Biomining Market

3.Market Dynamics & Factors Analysis
3.1.Introduction
3.1.1. Global Biomining Market Value, 2015-2027, (US$ Bn)
3.2.Market Dynamics
3.2.1.Key Growth Trends
3.2.2.Major Industry Challenges
3.2.3.Key Growth Pockets
3.3.Attractive Investment Proposition, 2020
3.3.1.Type of Metal Extracted
3.3.2.Type of Process
3.3.3.Application
3.3.4.Geography
3.4.Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
3.4.1.Threat of New Entrants
3.4.2.Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
3.4.3.Bargaining Power of Suppliers
3.4.4.Threat of Substitute Products
3.4.5.Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

4.Market Positioning of Key Players, 2020
4.1.Company market share of key players, 2020
4.2.Top 6 Players
4.3.Top 3 Players
4.4.Major Strategies Adopted by Key Players
4.5.Market Positioning of Key Players

5.COVID 19 Impact Analysis
5.1.Global Biomining Market Pre Vs Post COVID 19, 2019 – 2027
5.2.Impact on Import & Export
5.3.Impact on Demand & Supply

6.North America
6.1.North America Biomining Market, by Country, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
6.1.1.U.S.
6.1.2.Canada
6.1.3.Mexico
6.2.North America Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
6.2.1.Overview
6.2.2.Copper
6.2.3.Iron
6.2.4.Gold
6.2.5.Zinc
6.2.6.Cobalt
6.2.7.Others
6.3.North America Biomining Market, By Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
6.3.1.Overview
6.3.2.Slope
6.3.3.Heap
6.3.4.In-situ
6.4.North America Biomining Market, by Application, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
6.4.1.Overview
6.4.2.Mining
6.4.3.Metal Pollution Control

7.Europe
7.1.Europe Biomining Market, by Country, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
7.1.1.UK
7.1.2.France
7.1.3.Germany
7.1.4.Italy
7.1.5.Russia
7.1.6.Spain
7.1.7.Belgium
7.1.8.Netherland
7.1.9.Austria
7.1.10.Sweden
7.1.11.Poland
7.1.12.Denmark
7.1.13.Switzerland
7.1.14.Rest of Europe
7.2.Europe Biomining Market, by Product, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
7.2.1.Overview
7.2.2.Copper
7.2.3.Iron
7.2.4.Gold
7.2.5.Zinc
7.2.6.Cobalt
7.2.7.Others
7.3.Europe Biomining Market, By Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
7.3.1.Overview
7.3.2.Slope
7.3.3.Heap
7.3.4.In-situ
7.4.Europe Biomining Market, by Application, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
7.4.1.Overview
7.4.2.Mining
7.4.3.Metal Pollution Control

8.Asia Pacific
8.1.Asia Pacific Biomining Market, by Country, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
8.1.1.China
8.1.2.Japan
8.1.3.South Korea
8.1.4.India
8.1.5.Australia
8.1.6.New Zealand
8.1.7.Taiwan
8.1.8.Southeast Asia
8.1.9.Central Asia
8.1.10.Rest of Asia Pacific
8.2.Asia Pacific Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
8.2.1.Overview
8.2.2.Copper
8.2.3.Iron
8.2.4.Gold
8.2.5.Zinc
8.2.6.Cobalt
8.2.7.Other
8.3.Asia Pacific Biomining Market, By Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
8.3.1.Overview
8.3.2.Slope
8.3.3.Heap
8.3.4.In-situ
8.4.Asia Pacific Biomining Market, by Application, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
8.4.1.Overview
8.4.2.Mining
8.4.3.Metal Pollution Control

9.Latin America
9.1.Latin America Biomining Market, by Country, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
9.1.1.Brazil
9.1.2.Argentina
9.1.3.Peru
9.1.4.Chile
9.1.5.Colombia
9.1.6.Rest of Latin America
9.2.Latin America Biomining Market, by Product, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
9.2.1.Overview
9.2.2.Copper
9.2.3.Iron
9.2.4.Gold
9.2.5.Zinc
9.2.6.Cobalt
9.2.7.Other
9.3.Latin America Biomining Market, By Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
9.3.1.Overview
9.3.2.Slope
9.3.3.Heap
9.3.4.In-situ
9.4.Latin America Biomining Market, by Application, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
9.4.1.Overview
9.4.2.Mining
9.4.3.Metal Pollution Control

10.Middle East
10.1.Middle East Biomining Market, by Country, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
10.1.1.UAE
10.1.2.KSA
10.1.3.Israel
10.1.4.Turkey
10.1.5.Iran
10.1.6.Rest of Middle East
10.2.Middle East Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
10.2.1.Overview
10.2.2.Copper
10.2.3.Iron
10.2.4.Gold
10.2.5.Zinc
10.2.6.Cobalt
10.2.7.Other
10.3.Middle East Biomining Market, By Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
10.3.1.Overview
10.3.2.Slope
10.3.3.Heap
10.3.4.In-situ
10.4.Middle East Biomining Market, by Application, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
10.4.1.Overview
10.4.2.Mining
10.4.3.Metal Pollution Control

11.Africa
11.1.Africa Biomining Market, by Country, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
11.1.1.South Africa
11.1.2.Egypt
11.1.3.Nigeria
11.1.4.Rest of Africa
11.2.Africa Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
11.2.1.Overview
11.2.2.Copper
11.2.3.Iron
11.2.4.Gold
11.2.5.Zinc
11.2.6.Cobalt
11.2.7.Other
11.3.Africa Biomining Market, By Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
11.3.1.Overview
11.3.2.Slope
11.3.3.Heap
11.3.4.In-situ
11.4.Africa Biomining Market, by Application, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
11.4.1.Overview
11.4.2.Mining
11.4.3.Metal pollution Control

12.Global
12.1.Global Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
12.1.1.Overview
12.1.2.Copper
12.1.3.Iron
12.1.4.Gold
12.1.5.Zinc
12.1.6.Cobalt
12.1.7.Other
12.2.Global Biomining Market, By Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
12.2.1.Overview
12.2.2.Slope
12.2.3.Heap
12.2.4.In-situ
12.3.Global Biomining Market, by Application, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
12.3.1.Overview
12.3.2.Mining
12.3.3.Metal Pollution Control

13.Company Profiles
13.1.Rio Tinto Plc
13.2.Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc
13.3.Rio Algom Ltd
13.4.BHP
13.5.BacTech
13.6.Anglo American
13.7.Teck Resources Ltd
13.8.Nyrstar NV
13.9.Bindura Nickel Corporation
13.10. Newmont Corporation
13.11. Denison Mines Corp

List of Figures

FIG. 1 Global Biomining Market: Research Methodology
FIG. 2 Market Size Estimation – Top Down & Bottom up Approach
FIG. 3 Global Biomining Market Segmentation
FIG. 4 Global Biomining Market, by Product, 2019 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 5 Global Biomining Market, by End-user, 2019 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 6 Global Biomining Market, by Geography, 2019 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 7 Attractive Investment Proposition, by Geography, 2019
FIG. 8 Global Market Positioning of Key Biomining Market Manufacturers, 2019
FIG. 9 Global Biomining Market Value Contribution, By Type of Metal Extracted, 2019 & 2027 (Value %)
FIG. 10 Global Biomining Market, by Metal 1, Value, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 11 Global Biomining Market, by Metal 2, Value, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 12 Global Biomining Market, by Metal 3, Value, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 13 Global Biomining Market, by Metal 4, Value, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 14 Global Biomining Market, by Metal 5, Value, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 15 Global Biomining Market, by Others, Value, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 16 Global Biomining Market Value Contribution, By Type of Process, 2019 & 2027 (Value %)
FIG. 17 Global Biomining Market, by Process 1, Value, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 18 Global Biomining Market, by Process 2, Value, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 19 Global Biomining Market, by Process 3, Value, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 20 U.S. Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 21 Rest of North America Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 22 U.K. Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 23 Germany Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 24 France Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 25 Rest of Europe Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 26 Japan Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 27 China Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 28 India Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 29 Rest of Asia Pacific Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 30 Middle East & Africa Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
FIG. 31 Latin America Biomining Market, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)

List of Tables

TABLE 1Market Snapshot: Global Biomining Market
TABLE 2Global Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 3Global Biomining Market, by Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 4Global Biomining Market, by Application, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 5Global Biomining Market, by Geography, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 6North America Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 7North America Biomining Market, by Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 8North America Biomining Market, by Country, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 9Europe Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 10Europe Biomining Market, by Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 11Europe Biomining Market, by Country/Region, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 12Asia Pacific Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 13Asia Pacific Biomining Market, by Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 14Asia Pacific Biomining Market, by Country/Region, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 15Latin America Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 16Latin America Biomining Market, by Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 17Latin America Biomining Market, by Country/Region, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 18Middle East Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 19Middle East Biomining Market, by Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 20Middle East Biomining Market, by Country/Region, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 21Africa Biomining Market, by Type of Metal Extracted, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 22Africa Biomining Market, by Type of Process, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 23Africa Biomining Market, by Country/Region, 2015-2027 (US$ Bn)
TABLE 24Company 01: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments)
TABLE 25Company 2: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments)
TABLE 26 Company 3: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments)
TABLE 27Company 4.: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments)
TABLE 28Company 5: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments)
TABLE 29 Company 6: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments
TABLE 30Company 7: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments
TABLE 31Company 8: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments
TABLE 32Company 9: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments
TABLE 33Company 10: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments
TABLE 34Company 11: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments
TABLE 35Company 12: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments
TABLE 36Company 13: Company Snapshot (Company Overview; Product Portfolio; Financial Information; Key Developments