‘Mushroom Mining’ Could Be Cheap Way to Recover Rare Earth Minerals from Industrial Waste
For many years, the mining and refining sectors in Europe and North America have faced challenges due to a lack of investment, creating a dilemma for the manufacturing industry. However, a group of innovative scientists has proposed a unique solution that involves mushrooms instead of traditional excavators. You’ve likely heard the buzz surrounding terms like “critical minerals” and “rare earth elements” lately. These essential components—such as nickel and gallium—are increasingly vital for the development of cutting-edge technologies, ranging from long-lasting batteries in electric vehicles to advanced AI data centers and spacecraft. Historically, these minerals have been extracted through mining operations.












