Using Microbes to Mine Mars: The Future of Biomining

The video discusses biomining, a process using microbes to extract metals from ores, and its potential applications in space exploration. Biomining can be used to recover metals from waste and electronics on Earth and could be crucial for mining in space, especially for rare earth elements. The Biorock experiment tested microbial mining in different gravity conditions on the ISS, showing varied results among bacteria types. This research is a step towards using biomining for future space colonies.

How do changes in gravity affect the growth and efficiency of microbes in biomining?

What challenges remain before establishing a biomining operation on another world?