DARPA Environmental Microbes as a Bioengineering Resource (EMBER) Program - Phase III

In collaboration with Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), the University of Kentucky (UK; Subcontractor) will lead efforts to produce a high-purity mixed rare earth element concentrate from acid mine drainage (AMD) feedstocks. Both protein-based and conventional methods will be tested. These low-grade, but abundant domestic sources, are enriched in heavy REEs like Y and Dy, but differ from conventional bastnaesite and monazite ores, requiring high REE vs non-REE selectivity. Feedstocks from Rio Tinto, the Berkeley Pit, West Virginia U (WV), and/or other relevant locations will be used in this project. Lanmodulin resin will be supplied by LLNL to UK for the protein-based REE recovery approach.