Researchers have identified buried copper ore by testing the DNA of microbes in the surface soil.
Researchers have identified buried copper ore by testing the DNA of microbes in the surface soil.
These ‘biological fingerprints’ can reveal copper-containing ore buried tens of metres below the earth’s surface without having to drill, according to new research in Geology.
“Copper is essential for clean energy technologies, including electric vehicles, and demand is skyrocketing,” said senior author Dr. Sean Crowe, professor in UBC’s departments of earth, ocean and atmospheric sciences (EOAS) and microbiology and immunology. “Canada has almost 900 million tonnes of copper resources and potential for much more — but we need to find them first. This technology is another tool in the mineral discovery toolbox to improve our ability to find these critical resources.”
Read More: University of British Columbia
UBC doctoral student Bianca Iulianella Phillips prepares soil samples for DNA testing. (Photo Credit: Alex Walls)
