Scientists Discover Bacterium That Can Turn Toxic Waste into Real Gold, Paving Way for Sustainable Mining

Researchers have discovered a remarkable microbe, Cupriavidus metallidurans, that has the ability to transform toxic metal waste into real gold. The bacterium achieves this through a specialized enzyme called CopA, which detoxifies harmful gold compounds and converts them into microscopic solid gold particles. Over time, these tiny particles accumulate, eventually forming visible grains of gold.

This finding provides new insights into the natural processes that lead to the formation of gold in Earth’s crust. Beyond its scientific significance, the discovery holds promise for revolutionizing gold extraction in an environmentally sustainable way. By harnessing this microbe, it may be possible to develop eco-friendly methods for obtaining gold without relying on traditional mining techniques, which are often harmful to the environment and resource-intensive.