Scientists seek rare earth metals in waste and fungi

Researchers are investigating unconventional methods to extract rare earth metals, which are essential for manufacturing electric vehicles, smartphones, wind turbines, and magnets. As demand grows and supply remains concentrated in few nations, scientists are looking toward waste products as potential sources.

At the University of Vienna, researchers are developing a process called ‘mycomining,’ which uses specific types of fungi to absorb rare earth elements from substrates. The fungal biomass can then be harvested and processed to isolate the valuable metals. This method could also eventually be used to remediate contaminated industrial sites.

Additionally, significant value may lie in coal ash. Bridget Scanlon from the University of Texas at Austin estimates that existing coal ash piles in the United States contain potentially $8.4 billion worth of rare earth metals.