1849 bio

1849 bio is pioneering the development of engineered microbes designed to revolutionize metal extraction processes. Their innovative approach enables cost-effective metal recovery, unlocking the value of low-quality copper and gold ores for mining operations. The mining sector is already a significant user of biotechnology, with biomining contributing approximately 1% of global copper production due to its ultra-low cost, estimated at around $1 per ton of ore compared to $7 per ton for conventional methods.

However, current biomining techniques are limited, applicable to less than 20% of copper ores, leaving substantial resources untapped. An estimated $800 billion worth of copper remains inaccessible in waste materials and stockpiles due to unfavorable unit economics.

While considerable effort has been directed towards optimizing microbial metal extraction processes, the microbes themselves have received comparatively little attention. 1849 bio aims to address this gap by creating advanced biotech tools and platforms specifically tailored to the biological aspects relevant to mining. This enables the development of novel microbes capable of tackling the most challenging problems in biomining, unlocking billions in value from previously unprofitable resources while offering a more environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional processes.

The founders are experienced microbial engineers with PhDs in synthetic biology, specializing in applying and developing cutting-edge bioengineering technologies to engineer living cells.