Endolith – a prominent subsidiary of Cemvita – recently announced its success in securing a $1.1 million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) to harness microbes for sustainable mining. This funding round will be directed toward optimizing and expanding sustainable lithium extraction with an eye toward field deployment alongside industry partner Arizona Lithium and supporting companies Lithium Americas and Ioneer.
This grant underscores the DOE’s commitment to supporting innovative technologies that drive the energy transition to a greener and more sustainable future. Endolith, renowned for pioneering research and dedication to sustainable practices, is ideally positioned to lead this crucial endeavor. This grant will help advance the commercialization of Endolith’s bioprocess domestically and internationally.
Lithium, a critical component in developing renewable energy solutions, has seen an exponential demand increase in recent years. However, only a tiny fraction of lithium is sourced domestically, making this critical metal a high priority for national interest.
In year one, the focus will be on optimization, targeting minimal feedstock input, maximal lithium leaching, and minimal leaching of gangue or unwanted materials. Year two will focus on constructing and validating a pilot-scale bioprocess operation reactor in collaboration with one of Endolith’s industry partners. The ambitious end goal is to operate this reactor serially, processing multiple one-ton lithium-bearing clay charges and showcasing lithium’s economic recovery.
KEY QUOTE:
“We are tremendously honored to have received this grant from the Department of Energy and to be working with our partners to scale sustainable lithium mining. This funding will enable us to advance our mission of harnessing microbes for sustainable mining which aligns with the DOE’s vision for a cleaner, more energy-efficient future. We are excited to leverage this support to work towards delivering a carbon-negative future.”
- Dr. Liz Dennett, CEO of Endolith
“Transitioning to an alternative energy infrastructure is one of the great challenges of our time. Through Endolith’s work, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s technologically possible to create a ripple effect of sustainability across the mining industry and beyond.”
- Dr. Jesse Colangelo, Head of Geomicrobiology at Endolith and principal investigator of this award
