Biohydrometallurgical recovery of critical raw materials from e-waste: a sustainable approach

Critical raw materials (CRMs) are raw materials of high economic importance for the EU, with a high risk of supply disruption due to their concentration of sources and lack of good, affordable substitutes. Biohydrometallurgy is the extraction of metals from solids using microorganisms. Involves operations such as bioleaching, bioreduction and bioprecipitation. It presents a great performance, less harmful environmentally, less waste generation.