Universal Bio Mining LLC (UBM) is applying molecular biology, metagenomics and synthetic biology to the mining industry in order to improve both the mineral extraction and mineral remediation processes. The firm is developing an economic bioleaching process for chalcopyrite at mesophilic temperatures in order to improve the efficiency of mineral extraction and reduction of the impact of mining on the environment. UBM is also engineering the natural processes of extremophiles used in metal extraction of certain types of mineral ores. Copper, gold, uranium, and nickel are commercially produced with microorganisms which act as catalysts, and UBM is improving the productivity of these processes. In addition, UBM is applying bioleaching to types of ore currently treated as waste. UBM has also designed biopolymer systems and engineered organisms that can be used to capture trace metals from wastewater to ensure compliance with local regulations and to reduce water use. In addition, the firm is engineering metal sequestering systems able to utilize organisms to uptake heavy metal contamination in the soil surrounding mining operations, as well as the breakdown of other Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) high priority contaminants in other industries, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
