BPH Global Unveils Seaweed’s Gold and Lithium Uptake, Eyes Microbial Extraction
BPH Global confirms that the seaweed Sesuvium portulacastrum accumulates valuable metals including gold and lithium, but shifts focus to biological extraction after chemical methods fall short.
- Sesuvium portulacastrum hyperaccumulates gold, silver, copper, and lithium up to 81.32 mg/kg
- Metal uptake significantly higher in polluted/brackish waters than in clean marine environments
- Conventional chemical extraction methods fail to isolate pure metals due to complex biomass
- Biomass now classified as 'bio-ore' with new R&D phase targeting microbial extraction techniques
- Seaweed shows resilience and adaptability, supporting scalable deployment across coastal regions
Breakthrough in Marine Biometallurgy
BPH Global Ltd (ASX – BP8) has announced a significant milestone in its research into extracting precious and rare metals from seaweed. The company’s six-month R&D program, conducted in partnership with Temasek Innovation Holdings Pte Ltd and Gaia Mariculture, has confirmed that the seaweed species Sesuvium portulacastrum acts as a hyperaccumulator of valuable metals including gold, silver, copper, and lithium. Concentrations reached as high as 81.32 milligrams per kilogram of dry biomass, a promising figure for marine-based metal recovery.
The research highlights that the seaweed’s metal uptake is notably enhanced when grown in polluted or brackish waters compared to clean marine environments. This finding supports the concept of targeted cultivation in mineral-rich coastal zones, potentially unlocking new avenues for sustainable metal sourcing.
Challenges in Extraction and the Shift to Biological Methods
Despite the encouraging metal accumulation results, BPH Global encountered significant challenges in isolating pure metals using conventional chemical extraction techniques. Attempts to extract gold and other metals resulted in mixed metal precipitates rather than purified elements, attributed to the complex multi-metal composition of the seaweed biomass.
Recognising these limitations, the company has reclassified the biomass as "bio-ore" and is pivoting towards biological extraction methods. The next phase of R&D, currently under negotiation, will involve a specialist biology team focusing on microbial-assisted extraction processes. Microorganisms’ selective affinities for specific metals may offer a more precise and efficient pathway to recover valuable elements from the seaweed.
Scalability and Environmental Adaptability
Beyond metal uptake, Sesuvium portulacastrum has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability across a wide range of salinity conditions; from brackish inland waters to full-strength marine environments. This versatility suggests the species could be cultivated at scale across diverse coastal regions, including the Indonesian archipelago, where mineral-rich waters are prevalent.
Such scalability is crucial for the commercial viability of seaweed-based metal extraction, potentially offering a sustainable alternative to traditional mining with lower environmental impact.
Looking Ahead
BPH Global’s upcoming six-month R&D program will test the feasibility of microbial extraction techniques, aiming to overcome the current chemical extraction hurdles. The company is also exploring partnerships and commercial interest in bio-ore solutions, signalling a strategic move to position itself at the forefront of marine biometallurgy innovation.
While the path to commercialisation remains complex and uncertain, these developments mark a pivotal step in harnessing marine biomass for precious metal recovery, with potential implications for the mining and environmental sectors alike.
Bottom Line?
BPH Global’s pivot to microbial extraction could redefine marine metal recovery, but success hinges on overcoming complex bio-ore challenges.
Questions in the middle?
- How effective will microbial extraction techniques prove compared to conventional chemical methods?
- What is the timeline for scaling seaweed cultivation to commercially viable levels?
- Could partnerships accelerate the commercialisation of bio-ore metal recovery?
