Research summary
Metals like copper, nickel and rare earth elements are key components in the batteries and clean technologies that we need to address the climate crisis. But mining them can have negative environmental impacts, such as habitat destruction, soil erosion, water contamination, air pollution and ecosystem disruption. Dr. Wenying Liu, Canada Research Chair in Battery Materials Extraction, is combining recent innovations in genomics and large dataset analytics to develop methods and processes for extracting metals from ores and other sources in a more environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner.
She and her research team are using their expertise in hydrometallurgy and mine waste to support the transition from processing high-grade ores using energy-, water- and chemical-intensive methods to treating low-grade materials with minimal environmental impact and a lower carbon footprint. Ultimately, this will allow for safer, cleaner and more efficient supplies of these necessary metals.