PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mining major BHP has taken a strategic stake in US biotech start-up Cemvita Factory, which is developing bio-engineered pathways that support carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration and utilisation.

Cemvita Factory is developing a portfolio of CO₂ conversion microorganisms, including a platform that mimics photosynthesis and other natural processes.

BHP’s chief geoscientist Laura Tyler, said BHP is interested in the potential for biomimetic technology to enhance remediation of mine-impacted soils and water.

“Biomimetics have the potential to convert CO₂ into useful downstream products such as chemicals and polymers, and it also holds promise for the remediation of mine sites.

“This strategic investment fits well with BHP’s vision of the future: reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions, reducing environmental impact and the development of low-emissions technology, including increased application of carbon capture, utilisation and storage technology.”

Cemvita Factory’s technology is based on established methods of synthetic biology to improve the metabolic capacity of environment-friendly photosynthetic microorganisms for CO₂ use. These microorganisms may also be used for different purposes including the treatment of heavy metal or acidic contamination, using and sequestering CO₂ in the process.

BHP hopes this technology will enable the discovery of new low cost, high volume treatment alternatives that provide an in-situ biosynthesis alternative solution, removing traditional treatment overheads, transportation cost, and more importantly, the perpetual management of legacy sites.

The announcement follows a $6-million equity investment earlier this year in Canada-based Carbon Engineering, which is leading the development of direct air capture, an innovative technology which has the potential to deliver large-scale negative emissions by removing CO₂ from the atmosphere.

Tyler said BHP is committed to accelerating the global response to climate change by investing in emerging technologies that have the potential to lead to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

“As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said, if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change, technologies that capture and remove CO₂ will be required. Cemvita Factory’s technology has the potential to contribute to how we reduce CO₂ in the atmosphere,” said Tyler.