What is Genomines?
Genomines is shaking up the mining world by enhancing plants’ natural biology to mine nickel in a renewable, sustainable way. Instead of digging deep underground or blasting open pits, they use genetically-enhanced hyperaccumulator plants to pull nickel right out of the soil. These aren’t just any plants—they’re specially developed (non-GMO) to thrive on nickel-rich soils that traditional mining can’t touch, and soils that are too toxic for regular farming. The idea? Turn unusable, polluted land into nickel farms that produce battery-grade nickel for electric vehicles, all while keeping the process carbon neutral. It’s a fresh, green take on mining that could change how metals critical to electrification are sourced.
The Main Benefits of Genomines’ Approach
Here’s why Genomines stands out:
- Mining accounts for 4-7% of total greenhouse gas emissions—one of the most polluting industries out there.
- Traditional nickel mines take 15+ years just to get up and running, with decades more needed for cleanup and remediation.
- Demand for metals is skyrocketing—IEA forecasts a 19x increase in nickel demand by 2040, but current mining can’t keep up.
- Genomines’ biotech plants can harvest nickel-rich biomass in just a few months, using minimal synthetic fertilizers.
- Their production cost is 50% lower than the median forecast for nickel in 2030, making it a cost-effective solution.
- They unlock nickel reserves up to three times the current global production by mining soils that are otherwise uneconomical.
- The process aims for carbon neutrality, combining bioleaching and other techniques to recover metals from biomass.
How Genomines Works
At the heart of Genomines’ innovation is synthetic biology. They enhance the natural ability of certain plants to absorb metals, turning them into hyperaccumulators that soak up nickel efficiently. These plants grow on soils rich in nickel but unsuitable for traditional mining or agriculture—think toxic fields or leftover mine tailings. By optimizing the plant microbiome, Genomines speeds up growth cycles, allowing harvests in just months rather than years. Once harvested, the biomass undergoes a unique recovery process where metals are extracted using a mix of bioleaching and other downstream techniques designed to be carbon neutral. The result? Battery-grade nickel ready for the electric vehicle supply chain.
Challenges in Traditional Nickel Mining
Mining nickel the old-fashioned way is slow, dirty, and expensive. It can take over 15 years just to open a mine, and after extraction, closing and cleaning up the site drags on for decades. Plus, mining is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions—between 4 and 7% globally. Despite pledges, mining companies’ targets for reducing emissions by 2030 are often below 30%, which falls short of the Paris Agreement goals. Meanwhile, the demand for nickel is exploding, driven by the push for electrification and clean energy. The current mining infrastructure simply can’t keep pace, creating a huge supply gap that needs innovative solutions.
Genomines’ Market and Industry Recognition
Genomines isn’t just a cool idea—it’s gaining serious traction. They’ve been selected as one of the Top Innovators in the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Mining Challenge, highlighting their potential to revolutionize mining. Plus, they secured a €5 million grant from Bpifrance’s i-demo call, joining the France2030 initiative aimed at boosting climate tech. Industry leaders and investors are taking note too, praising Genomines for its ambitious vision and cutting-edge technology. Their approach aligns perfectly with the urgent need to scale climate tech solutions by achieving cost parity with carbon-intensive alternatives, as noted by McKinsey.
Genomines’ Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – by supporting the supply chain for electric vehicle batteries.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – through pioneering sustainable mining technologies.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by using polluted, unusable land productively.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – reducing greenhouse gas emissions in mining and promoting carbon neutrality.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – remediating contaminated soils and restoring ecosystems.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Mining with Genomines
Genomines is more than just a company—it’s a glimpse into the future of mining. By turning toxic, neglected lands into productive nickel farms, they’re not only addressing the supply crunch but also tackling environmental damage head-on. Their carbon-neutral process and cost-effective production could make sustainable nickel the new norm for battery and car manufacturers worldwide. As the world races toward electrification and cleaner mobility, Genomines offers a radical, nature-powered solution that’s ready to scale. It’s mining, but reimagined—cleaner, faster, and smarter.
